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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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25 December 1864

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bell Wharton

Wishes Bell "A Happy Christmas." Shares his sadness at being away from home and all the changes that have taken place in one year, especially the death of his father. Remarks he had turkey at the boarding house, "...but it didn't seem like eating Christmas dinner up north." Adds, "Since last night every one has been on a big drunk, of course I except myself, I only drank a quart or two of egg-nog." Reports his court has been reorganized and he is still on duty as a clerk. Closes letter with,"Remember me in your prayers Bell, for I have many temptations that you know not of."

GLC03523.10.151

30 December 1864

Maitland, Ann, 1813-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Reports in detail on the holiday parties in the neighborhood, including an oyster dinner for fifty people. States they sold the wheat for two-hundred and fifty-eight dollars. Says the prayer meeting begins tomorrow and wishes he could attend. Comments the draft "...is to come off again and the folks are very busy trying to raise the money to get the men from others places..." Expresses fear that Grier may be drafted. Letter continues the following morning.

GLC03523.10.152

20 November 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister and family

Comments on the rainy weather and muddy conditions. Reports that the troops were reviewed by General R.S. Granger. He writes that the men put their best appearance on for the general and made a very good impression. Wheeler remarks that he's glad that the Methodist Ministers have taken the oath "if for nothing else but to sift out the miserable copperheads" (referring to Illinoisian Democratic Methodist ministers that sympathized with the South). Wheeler writes that there is no prospect of leaving Nashville. He also writes that the men don't belong to any specific army corps or division,…

GLC07460.061

27 November 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Writes that some of the men returning from the front were exposed to small pox on the train. Those who were not vaccinated have been taken to the hospital and given vaccinations. He writes that a tent was built to house all the men that came down with small pox. Informs his family that he attended Post Chapel no. 2 and comments on the platform speeches of the Army chaplains. He writes: "Army Chaplains are not afraid to talk politics if need be or state Slavery sentiments now that they have so good a chance in a slave state." Mentions a Sabbath school that has been set up at the Chapel…

GLC07460.062

December 11, 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister and family

Reports that one of the soldiers, [Zod] Howe, almost died from small pox and another man is thought to have come down with it. Remarks that the men in camp seem very nonchalant about the small pox outbreak. He writes that the hospital building and all the clothes from infected soldiers will be burned. Recollects that one year ago he and Darius (his brother-in-law) were in South Tunnel. He writes, "we never think of that place with any very good feelings as there we lost a good many of our boys." There has been talk of moving to Gallatin but hopes that they don't have to leave Nashville…

GLC07460.064

15 June 1788

Greene, Catharine L., 1755-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Original from which GLC02437.03897 was copied. Expresses gratitude for recent arrangements Knox made for her son George Washington Greene to travel to France for his education. Writes, "…your goodness particularly to my little boy has filled me with the most lively gratitude which however would not pain me if I had any other method of shewing you my feelings than by professions only. I am disgusted with professions: The world makes use of them, alas I know too well how fallaciously…"

GLC02437.03898

1 March 1789

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Is thrilled to hear from Knox that he has recovered from his illness enough to walk about the house, and hopes to hear soon that he is perfectly well. Hopes General [George] Washington will not hesitate to accept the Presidency. Believes the vote will be unanimous in his favor, and that Mr. [John] Adams will readily accept the call of his country as well. Reports that he sold Mr. [James] Swan's "Elegant Coach" to a Colonel Smith. Writes that the sitting of the Supreme Court has prevented him from paying Knox a visit as early as he intended to because "the Colonel" cannot leave (the…

GLC02437.04130

19 October 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister Martha [Spohn]

Discusses the weather, particularly the muddy conditions. He states that the local rock is limestone and that the mud makes good mortar for building chimneys. Wheeler expects that they will stay in Nashville for some time, possibly through the winter. Mentions that his Uncle Washington is a peace man of the "Vallandingham stripe", referring to Clement Vallandingham, an Ohio Statesman and leader of the Copperhead faction of Democrats in the North. Of the Copperheads, Wheeler remarks: " the Devil is a more likely man than these Copperheads for he is always on one side, and you know how to…

GLC07460.056

5 March 1788

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Pamphlet

Title: At a meeting of the directors and agents of the Ohio Company, at Mr. Rice's Tavern, in Providence, State of Rhode-Island, Wednesday, March 5, 1788.

Discusses agents, shares, and other Ohio Company business. One resolve notes, "That the Directors be requested to pay as early attention as possible to the education of youth, and the promotion of public worship, among the first settlers."

GLC02437.03815

16 April 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: [Copy of a receipt related to pay warrants]

Knox, Secretary of War, notes receipt of ten warrants from John Pierce drawn by the Board of Treasury "in favor of Michael Hillegas." Intends to forward the warrants to Jeremiah Wadsworth and to issue warrants for the payment of troops.

GLC02437.03840

16 April 1788- 9 May 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Copy of a receipt related to army warrants]

Knox's signature is struck. Knox, Secretary at War, notes receipt of ten warrants from John Pierce drawn by the Board of Treasury "in favor of Michael Hillegas." Intends to forward the warrants to Jeremiah Wadsworth and to issue warrants for the payment of troops. Verso contains the signature of Philip Audebert, who signs for John Pierce. Audebert notes receipt of five warrants. Contains a note written by Jonathan Burrall, executor of the will of John Pierce. Burrall signs 9 May 1789 noting the receipt of ten warrants. Docket notes, "Finally settled on the 9th May 1789."

GLC02437.03842

19 April 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Account information related to Jeremiah Wadsworth]

First page pertains to warrants Wadsworth received from Knox drawn by the Board of Treasury on William Imlay, Receiver of Continental Taxes for Connecticut. Knox signs second page 15 July 1788, noting receipt of a sum. Wadsworth signs third page, which appears to be a duplicate of page one.

GLC02437.03847

19 April 1788

Manuscript document

Title: [Account between Jeremiah Wadsworth and Henry Knox]

Account between Jeremiah Wadsworth and Henry Knox. Pertains to warrants drawn by the Board of Treasury on William Imlay, receiver of Continental Taxes for the State of Connecticut. Duplicate of GLC02437.03846.

GLC02437.03848

14 May 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: [Certification regarding Livingston and Turnbull]

Marked as a copy. Certifies that in 1777, [Knox] "had opportunities of observing the attention and industry of Messrs. Livingston and Turnbull in furnishing clothing for the army generally, and that he experienced the greatest readiness and punctuality on their part in furnishing the clothing for the corps of artillery in particular."

GLC02437.03871

1 June 1788

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Introduces Pierpont Edwards, who is in New York to take his seat in Congress.

GLC02437.03883

10 June 1788

Macomb, Alexander, 1748-1831

Autograph document signed

Title: [Declaration of trust related to a land sale]

Countersigned by Isaac Stoughtenburgh at a June 1787 public auction at the Merchants Coffee House in New York City and Daniel McKinnen. Verifies the sale of ten townships of land on the southeast side of the St. Lawrence River. Macomb attests that these townships were "sold to divers persons for and in behalf of the following Proprietors..." Lists the proprietors as Philip Schuyler, Henry Knox, Alexander Hamilton, John Taylor, John DeLancey, and Thomas Marston. Attests that he holds the lands in trust for them.

GLC02437.03890

22 June 1788

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports New Hampshire's ratification of the Constitution. Writes, "a few hours since an express arrived from the Town of Concord in the State of New Hamshire [sic] where the Convention of that State met for the consideration of the proposed General Government, & brings the most important information that yesterday noon they ratified the Constitution by a majority of 11- that is to say- 57 yeas- & 46 nays. I am this moment from his Excellency the Gover [John Hancock] who shew me [his] Letter he recd - from General [John] Sullivan on that subject they have proposed nearly the same…

GLC02437.03910

22 June 1788

Swan, James, 1754-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Swan writes from Brighthelmstone, possibly Brighton, England. Remarks, "There is a coldness and indifference - so far distant from your Letters when I was at home, that chills my heart & forces a discharge, very involuntary of the warmth with which it is animated in love of you and your family." Written in Brighthelmstone

GLC02437.03911

13 July 1788

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820

Manuscript document

Title: Extract from the diary of W. S.

The diarist gives news of a Chippewa or Ottawa Indian attack on General [Josiah] Harmar's regiment, which was "stationed up the Muskingum River." Both sides suffered casualties. Writes, "This most flagitious insult seems to have been conducted with uncommon spirit, and a great degree of temerity-" Relates that the Indians raided stores that were intended for a treaty. Reports that some of the Delaware Indians "arrived on the day of this transaction and seem highly incensed at the insult." Adds that Northwest Territory Governor Arthur St. Clair has ordered the transfer of all provisions…

GLC02437.03933

19 July 1788

Audebert, Philip, fl. 1788-1796

Autograph document signed

Title: [Receipt for a warrant from Henry Knox payable to Zephaniah Webster]

Possibly signed by Audebert as clerk at the War Office.

GLC02437.03940

24 July 1788

Parkman, Samuel, 1752-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Transmits Mr. Peck's conditions under which he will agree to build a ship. Notes that he [Parkman] and Knox are to "consider if twill be for Mr [Samuel] Shaws Intrest to employ Mr Peck."

GLC02437.03947