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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.

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1779/02/03

Clinton, Henry, Sir, 1730-1795

Document signed

Title: British Royal Peace Commission's attempt to appease colonists by lifting...

GLC07891

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

1843/10/14

Taylor, Zachary, 1784-1850

Autograph letter signed

Title: To: Robert C. Wood.

Criticism of abolitionists and mention of a "fracas" involving Cherokees dissatisfied about the results of their election.

GLC07905

1847/05/16

Taylor, Zachary, 1784-1850

Autograph letter signed

Title: To: Robert Wood

Taylor suggests that if he were to be nominated for the United States Presidency he would have to decline until after the Mexican War was over, and that it would have to be for the good of a nation and not that of a party. Taylor states that "There can be no lack of officers of every grade in N- Orleans, and the number will be augmented very soon as the times of all the twelve month [regiments] is about to expire." Taylor goes on to say that he got a letter from General Winfield Scott on "the 24th ulto" stating he had beaten Santa Anna in a battle. The fact that they [the Mexicans],…

GLC07906

1829/07/02

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: To: Amos Kendall.

Jackson states that as long as one looks to the land as their guide and keeps justice the "end in sight," they shall maintain the support of the people.

GLC07914

1782/05/10

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Autograph letter

Title: to "The Gentlemen of the House of Representatives"

Hancock argues that the bill making Sunday a day of Sabbath in Congress was improperly passed. The Constitution provided a set amount of time to rebuke a bill's passing, and others in Congress accused Hancock of sending his letter of rebuttal too late. However, Hancock asserts that real time and the time that the House had been using were very different things.

GLC07917

1782/06/03

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Autograph letter signed

Title: To: "Gentlemen of the House of Representatives."

John Hancock responds to an inquiry from the "Gentlemen of the House of Representatives" about the status of an import tax bill. He says that he feels the bill was illegitimately passed and that he does not consider it legitimate.

GLC07918

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

1796/07/15

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Marshall

Regarding the position of Surveyor General & problems in filling the post. In part: "...A gentleman well qualified to discharge the duties of this office was approached, but he has declined to accept it." Washington goes on to discuss the qualities needed for the post and the difficulty in finding someone able to carry out the responsibilities of the Surveyor General and asks Marshall, confidentially, if he has anyone to reccomend for the position..

GLC07879

1787/08/13

Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hon. [?] Warren re: newly proposed Constitution

GLC07870

1829/04/14

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: to B[enjamin] Romaine, Esq.

Expressing his views on impending Constitutional reforms. In part: "On the subject that of Constitutional Reforms....it will be well for the States who are latest in performing the task, not to lose sight of the advantage which that circumstance gives them. There is a pretty general concurrence here as to the chief defects in the Constitution which is about to be revised. I wish there may be an equal one in the proper remedies. I hope, at least, that everything tending to undermine the General Constitution will be avoided with the same care which guards against encroachments on the…

GLC07873

1790/02/19

Rush, Benjamin, 1746-1813

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Fitssimons

Regarding funding act of 1790 (supported by Mr. Fitssimons, opposed by Rush). Speaking of "future acts of injustice," Rush remarks that: "Your funding System is to be one of them, and however much it may be gilded by the splendid and imposing names of honourable policy, it will rank hereafter with the murder of the innocent inhabitants of South America by the Spaniards-with the Slavery of the Africans by our Southern States, and with the ravages committed by Great Britain upon prosperty & life in America during the War....They all have left a stain upon our Country & upon human…

GLC07874

1829/05/18

Mitchell, Samuel L., fl. 1829

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Romaine, Esq.

Regarding friction in the early 19th century America and the rise of various secession movements. In part: "That a few mad or unfortunate persons of the old federal party might have thought of dissolving the confederacy, is despicable enough; but I never thought they could have carried the population of the New England States with them in such a treasonable and suicidal measure."

GLC07875