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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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6 August 1797

Morris, Robert, 1734-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Brant

Introduces his son, Thomas Morris, and asks Brant to help negotiate the purchase of land owned by the Seneca Indians

GLC03731

19 March 1851

Smith, A. G., fl. 1851

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Cotton Mather

Writes as the agent for the Utica Iron Manufacturing Company. Describes the collapse of the dock of his company on the Erie Canal. Advises that work should be done to fix it this spring before navigation opens. Reports that they intend to send 5,000 tons of freight in the coming season and because of the increased business, he believes the canal company should build their own permanent dock. Addressed to Mather as the Canal Commissioner, Albany, New York.

GLC03769.002

18 September 1780

Dundas, Ralph, 1732-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Dundas, Captain of the H. M. S. Bonetta, informs his brother James he was in New York and other locations before moving north to Nova Scotia. Reports that on the way, his men took five prizes and reclaimed two brigs containing low-valued cargo. States that a French fleet is "Blocked up at Present at Rhode Island" by Admiral Marriot Arbuthnot. Refers to the British defeat of American forces at Charleston, South Carolina, in May 1780 and the capture of valuable Virginia ships by New York privateers. Discusses a riot in Boston, Massachusetts following General George Washington's call for 3,…

GLC03676.02

1 June 1796

Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

Printed document signed

Title: Fourth Congress of the United States: at the first session, begun and held at the city of Philadelphia, in the state of Pennsylvania, on Monday, the seventh of December, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-five.

Signed by Pickering, Secretary of State. Includes "an act regulating the grants of land appropriated for military services, and for the society of the United Brethren for propagating the gospel among the heathen," "an act for the admission of the state of Tennessee into the union," "an act limiting the time for the allowance of drawback on the exportation of domestic spirits, and allowing a drawback upon such spirits exported in vessels of less than thirty tons, by the Mississippi," "an act to suspend, in part, the act, intituled 'An act to alter and amend the act, intituled 'An act laying…

GLC03698

22 July 1781

Dundas, Ralph, 1732-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Dundas, captain of the H. M. S. Bonetta, writes from the Elizabeth River to his brother James. Reports that he was sent to the James Islands "to cover the Boats of Earle Cornwallis's Army who were ordered away from the Pursuit of the Marquis Fayette." Praises Cornwallis. Discusses details of continued battles and skirmishes occurring between December 1780 and July 1781, as the Marquis de Lafayette pursued Cornwallis to Yorktown. Mentions the activities of Colonel Robert Abercrombie and the Edinburgh Regiment. States that he had previous orders to attack Philadelphia, but had received…

GLC03676.04

28 January 1834

Marshall, John, 1755-1835

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Acknowledges receipt of a catalog and states that "The Librarian alone is authorized to purchase for the law library of the United States." Pasted to support board.

GLC03360

19 February 1808

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Letter signed

Title: to William Pinkney

Indicates that he is sending a series of gazettes reporting on congressional proceedings, which "will give you a view of our internal affairs." Explains the route by which Mr. Nourse will deliver them to London so that Pinkney can arrange other correspondence to Paris and his own government. Discusses a previous letter concerning the Embargo Act of 1807 and a British decree made on 11 November 1807. Also comments on communications from David Erskine, the British Minister Plenipotentiary, concerning Napoleon's Berlin Decree, the British retaliation, and their effects on neutral maritime…

GLC03419

1767

Great Britain. Acts.

Pamphlet

Title: Act for granting certain duties in...America

The Townshend Act, which levied taxes on certain goods, and removed customs duties from other goods exported from England. This act also set measures to prevent illegal trading of goods in America. Passed on 29 June 1767. Printed by Mark Baskett. First Printing. Paginated 655-656 + unpaginated title page.

GLC03404

1770

Great Britain. Acts.

Pamphlet

Title: Act to repeal...an act made in the seventh year of his present Majesty's reign

An act Parliament to repeal the Townshend Acts, passed on 12 April 1770. Printed by Charles Eyre and William Strahan. First printing. Paginated 331-335 + unpaginated title page.

GLC03405

14 January 1803

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Header Record

Title: Letter to William Jarvis and copied letter from Samuel Snow to Madison [Decimalized .01-.02]

GLC03329

02 January 1789

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Comte de Moustier re: importation of whale oil from US to France (in French)

Lafayette comments on the French whale oil industry, particularly the Company of Dunkirk ("dunkerque").

GLC03281.05

29 March 1799

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Timothy Pickering

President Adams approves the appointment of James Reid of New Hampshire as Vice Consul in Canton (Guangzhou, China). One black and white bust engraving of John Adams included.

GLC03297

22 November 1799

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sylvanus Bourne

Discusses the appointment of a consular agent at Embden, mentioning a Mr. Gregory as a possible appointee. Notes changes in France's government (Napoleon's seizing of power), doubting that it will produce a general peace in the Quasi-War between the United States and France. States that it is unlikely that "Prussia will interfere in any manner for the restoration of Peace, or that she could do much to bring it about were she ever so inclined to attempt it." Mentions two principles as the foundation for the war, but does not specify them. Written while Adams served as American Minister to…

GLC03298

25 July 1768

Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Margaret Arnold

Writes to his wife, Peggy, in New Haven, Connecticut. Informs that he has sent her brandy, oranges, coconuts, handkerchiefs, and more from the West Indies and hopes the shipment has arrived safely. Briefly discusses his own trade. Desires to return to his family, " ... a separation from you is attended with the most Cruel Anxiety, you who are with your Friends Cannot Imagine my Impatience to leave this Savage Island & be with you & my Friends who are most Dear to me." Mentions some pending law suits. Gives love to the family. With an initialed postscript.

GLC03301

3 August 1833

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jarvis

Written as Senator from Kentucky. Clay blames the rise of nullification on the "triumph of Gen. [Andrew] Jackson over Mr. [John Quincy] Adams in 1828, alludes to the dangers of the nullification controversy, and highlights his role in effecting a congressional compromise to prevent bloodshed. Clay writes that if he had not compromised he feared the "entire destruction" of the American system of tariffs or a "Civil War." Hopes that manufacturing will not be hurt by the "Compromise" but feels that the bill was fair to both sides of the dispute. Concludes by stating, " ... it should now be…

GLC03307