Search | Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Start New Search

87506 search results

Filter:

Only return results with full-sized images

Sort by

Advanced search

Keyword

Author

Subjects

Place written

Year

Sub-era

[1817 ca.]

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Notes for an address]

Manuscript constituting a fragment of a draft of an untitled address by James Madison. Seemingly missing an initial page or pages; starts midway, discussing issues of national security, peace, and ensuring comfort to the nation's citizens. Beneath the notes is written in another hand: "Written by President Monroe;" yet another hand adds: "Wilmington Answer to the Address."

GLC07893

1865/04/21

Cobb, Howell, 1815-1868

Letter signed

Title: to W.T. Woffard

Reporting on the armistice. In part: "I have the honor to inform you that an Armistice has been agreed upon by Gen[era]ls. Sherman & Johnsgon & that all military operations have ceased....In my opinion they will not be resumed at all..." Countersigned by William Hoser, Captain 16th Regiment.

GLC07894

1824/07/12

Neale, Harry B., fl. 1824

Manuscript document signed

Title: Instructions on attack of Algiers. Entitled "Revenge off Algiers"

Rear Admiral Harry B. Neale gives in depth instructions to the ships under his command to form at distances of 120 fathoms from each other in order to attack Algiers. A Van (front), Center and Rear Division are established and orders are issued seperately to each Division and to the force as a whole.

GLC07895

1859/11/25

Wise, Henry A., 1806-1876

Letter

Title: to James Buchanan re: conspiracy to free John Brown

Copy of letter sent and signed by Henry A. Wise to President Buchannan regarding the plot to free John Brown from his cell in Charlestown, Virginia. Wise explicitly states that he has amassed over one thousand men at arms (militia) and is prepared to call upon Virginia's entire reserve should the conspirators make any attempts at releasing Brown.

GLC07897

1788/02/16-17

Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Michel G. de Crevecoeur

Franklin thanks Crevecoeur for gifts received the previous summer, as well as pointing out the pros and cons of a steam engine in the postscript, dated February 17.

GLC07899

Various

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Header Record

Title: to Various

1. 3 pgs + docket. 25x19 cm. 27 January 1804. re: negotiating with Barbary pirates. Jefferson promises that he holds the friendship of the Prince Bey of Tunis in high regard and does not intend to be misunderstood, but regrets to be forced to decline his request for a frigate of 30 guns to be used in the defence against pirates. 2. 3 pgs + docket. 23x19 cm. From United States Ship Constitution Off Tripoli. Marked on docket "Copy of my letter to Monsieur Beaussier." 12 June 1804. From Commodore Edward Preble to Monsieur Beaussier. Commodore Preble enlists Beaussier's help in…

GLC07903

1777/10/06

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to William Woodford re: supplies for winter encampment at Valley Forge

GLC07847

1801/10/31

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John F. Mercer re: postponing visit with Madison to Mercer's estate

GLC07854

1865/01/28

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: to Edward O.C. Ord re: endorsement on petition

GLC07856

1757/09/30

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Ball Washington re: his brother's marriage, ordering clothing for slaves

With provenance note stating property of David A. Hayes, and a clipped signature of John Hancock, President.

GLC07858.01

[n.d.]

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Object

Title: Small rectangular piece of silver brocade

GLC07858.02

1775/12/05

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: Circular letter re: appeal to New England States

GLC07859

1862/06

United States. Congress.

Manuscript document

Title: An act to secure freedom to all persons within the Territories

GLC07864

1776/08/13

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Washington writes from Headquarters, New York, to an unidentified correspondent, verifiying receipt of a letter and promising to forward it "by the first opportunity." Washington signs as "Your most Obed.[ient and] H.[um]ble Servant." The letter has been carefully mounted on heavy bond paper.

GLC07867

1836/04/04

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Solomon Lincoln Esq.

Pontificating on the history and intentions of the Pilgrims and the Founding Fathers, and on the important principles to be learned from America's collective history. Also giving his views on freedom of religion and freedom of speech and the limits that should be put upon them;. also frankly discussing his ambiguous feelings about the issue of slavery. In part: "I would not undertake to say that the one hundred and one Germans of the compact on board the Mayflower, had all, or any of them, a conception of the consequences to the human race, of their emigration from Leyden; any more than…

GLC07868

1801/11/01

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward Livingston, Esq.

Discussing his opinions on the Sedition act. In part: "...My text of explanation would be this. The President is to heave the laws executed. He may order an offense then to be prosecuted. If he sees a prosecution put into a train which is not lawful, he may order it to be discontinued and put into the legal train. I found a prosecution going on against Duane for an offense against the Senate, founded on the Sedition act. I affirm that act to be no law, because in opposition to the Constitution; and I shall treat it as a nullity whenever it comes in the way of my functions.."

GLC07869

1862/06/05

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Manuscript document signed

Title: Pardon of Thomas E. Kirkley, convicted of subornation of perjury

GLC07871

1865/02/07

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Major Thomas T. Eckert

Written on War Department, Washington City stationery, President Lincoln requests Major Thomas T. Eckert supply specific reports regarding the Hampton Roads Peace Conference. In part: "Please furnish me copies of all dispatches sent by the Secretary of War or myself, on or about the negotiations..." Lincoln lists the specific dispatches he is requesting (including ones to General Grant, General Ord, and Mr. Seward) by date.

GLC07872