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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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1862/01/23

Wise, Henry A., 1806-1876

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Andrew H. Foote re: sending Lincoln's telegram; stirring up army ordnance

Cover letter accompanying Lincoln's telegram (GLC 4702.01). Quotes Lincoln saying to Wise: "Now I am going to devote a part of every day to these mortars and I won't leave off until it fairly rains Bombs."

GLC04702.02

1814/09/04

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Printed document signed

Title: [Commission of Winfield Scott as Major General during the War of 1812]

This document is a record of the commission of Winfield Scott. It is signed by Madison as president and countersigned by James Monroe as secretary of state. The promotion was a brevet "for his distinguished services in the successive Conflicts of Chippewa & Niagara, and for his uniform gallantry and good conduct as an officer." The document is partially printed. It is encased in mylar and mounted.

GLC04735

1877/11/16

Garfield, James A. (James Abram), 1831-1881

Pamphlet

Title: Repeal of the Resumption Law, Speech of... [monetary policy]

Printed by R.O. Polkinshorn.

GLC04744

1804/07/17

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Uriah Tracy

Adams writes about the possibility of an amendment against slavery, the fact that the House of Representatives represents freemen, and discusses the New York elections.

GLC04754

1817/01/17

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Plumer

Regarding the European feeling that Americans shall "become dangerous members of the Society of Nations." Naval Victories, state of Barbary (fighting the pirates of Barbary and Algiers rather than giving them tribute), enemies everywhere, few friends except Russia. Also mentions subserviency to "Holy Religion, and the Press Gang."

GLC04755

1781, reprint Philadelphia 1807

Map

Title: Plan of the investment and attack of York in Virginia [from Life of Washington]

Plate IX. Shows Yorktown. Published by C. P. Wayne; engraved by Francis Shallus.

GLC04760.02

1891 ca.

Bidwell, John, fl. 1891

Pamphlet

Title: General Bidwell's letter of acceptance [Prohibition Party nomination - election]

GLC04707.01

1891 ca.

Bidwell, John, fl. 1891

Document

Title: Prohibition Party election ticket with Bidwell as candidate for president

GLC04707.02

1848/10/12

Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Gibson re: enclosing accounts through July 1848, noting robbery

Grant notes that $1,500 had been robbed in Mexico.

GLC04711

1803/03/07

Broadside

Title: Lancaster Journal Extra [announcing transfer of Louisiana from Spain to France]

Announces the transfer of the Territory of Louisiana by Spain back to France in order to complete the Louisiana Purchase.

GLC04721

1793/02/27

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Printed document signed

Title: [Two signed acts of the second Congress on one page]

Two acts of Congress, the first repeals a law that placed duties on imported livestock, the second providing compensation to families of two soldiers "killed by the said Indians." Signed by Jefferson as Secretary of State.

GLC04722

1869/10/14

Belknap, William W. (William Worth), 1829-1890

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ulysses S. Grant re: accepting duties & responsibilities of Secretary of War

Formal letter of acceptance, with small black stamp in lower left corner: "Madlener."

GLC04728

1871/10/17

Field, Cyrus W. (Cyrus West), 1819-1892

Letter signed

Title: to James W. Patterson re: documents, asking views on the Pacific telegraph

Sending him documents sent to Russians (who were possibly interested in his project), and asking for his thoughts on the telegraph. The document has a large dark liquid stain slightly affecting text.

GLC04731

1864 ca.

Brady, Mathew B., 1823-1896

Photograph signed

Title: [John A. McClemand]

Signed on front and verso, with biographical information. Three-quarter length of John A. McClemand. Republished by Anthony.

GLC04737

[1880]

Garfield, James A. (James Abram), 1831-1881

Document

Title: Garfield's Credit Mobilier Record [anti-Garfield propaganda]

Small card (2-sided) reporting Garfield's testimony on the Credit Mobilier affair and Chester A. Arthur's record. Related to election of 1880.

GLC04745.01

[1880]

Garfield, James A. (James Abram), 1831-1881

Document

Title: De Golyer and Credit Mobilier [defending Garfield against corruption charges]

Campaign leaflet relating to the election of 1880, subtitled "Extract from General Beatty's Speech before the Eigth War Republican's Club." As one might expect, he waves the 'bloody flag' in his peroration: "They may fail to see the Confederate army of which you [Democrats] are the avant couriers. They may even forget just how many millions of rebel claims are waiting payment at the hands of a Democratic administration."

GLC04745.02

1853/03/05

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Newspaper

Title: Pierce's Inaugural Address

This document is a clipping from "Stark Co. Democrat---Extra." from Canton, Ohio on 5 March 1853. On it is printed a copy of President Franklin Pierce's Inaurgual Address. The publisher of the newspaper is not listed.

GLC04751

1808/09/08

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Rush re: railing against narrow, selfish spirit of parties; Napoleon

Also mentions Spain, religion, and the Louisiana Claims.

GLC04756

1833/11/29

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Tuttle, John N. Millington, William Holliday, James K. McNeal, and George W. Sherwood

Declines invitation to the Baltimore Typographical Society's anniversary supper on account of his travel plans. Praises their toleration of divergent views, writing, in part: "all would be unworthy of liberty who, whilst they exercise free judgment themselves should be disposed to deny it in others."

GLC04766

1789/05/05

Clinton, George, 1739-1812

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Huntington

The governor of New York sends to the governor of Connecticut the New York legislature's proposed amendments to the Constitution (not included). Asks that this draft of the Bill of Rights be circulated in the Connecticut legislature.

GLC04767

1788 ca.

Manuscript document

Title: Proposed amendments to the Constitution

This document, in a contemporary hand, compiles and compares the proposals of several states. Many of the proposals are in the form substantially used in the Bill of Rights.

GLC04770