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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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Place written

Year

Sub-era

1776/07/03

Danielson, Timothy, fl. 1776

Letter signed

Title: to John Hancock re: supporting a declaration of Independence

GLC02635

1779/11/09

Hunter, Samuel, ?-1784

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Reed

Outlines the best positions for troops to defend the area, reports on Indian attack and scalping, and fears another attack.

GLC02636

1791/07/07

Greenway, James, fl. 1756

Manuscript document signed

Title: Contract with state of Virginia to trade with Cherokee Indians

Signed by Greenway and Barclay McGhee as merchants contracting to trade with the Cherokee Indians

GLC02638

1836/06/18

Jesup, Thomas S., 1788-1860

Letter signed

Title: to Winfield Scott

General Jesup writes to General Scott to defend his military actions in Florida during the second Seminole War, which violated Scott's planned campaign. Written in a disrespectful tone, he remarks that "I am not a boy to be lectured by you." Indicates that he will appeal to President Jackson. This was the beginning of a feud that ultimately led to Jesup's dismissal.

GLC02640

1864/07/12

Potts, J. J., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Col. J. S. Ford re: spy report on Union forces to Texas Rangers

Potts, in this letter, notes that he is unable to serve in the military.

GLC02652

1774/10/20

Continental Congress, 1774-1789

Broadside

Title: Extracts from votes and proceedings of Continental Congress

Full title: "The following extracts from the votes and prceedings of the American Continental Congress, we are induced to publish early purely to ease the impatience of our readers. Association & C." Printed by T[homas] R. J. Fleet.

GLC02668

1925 ca.

Photograph signed

Title: [Henry Ford]

Signed photograph of a middle-aged Henry Ford by an unknown photographer. Ford signed over his jacket lapel.

GLC02684

1860/12/20

Charleston Mercury, fl. 1860-1861

Broadside

Title: The Union is dissolved! [Charleston Mercury, Extra Ed.]

Docketed on verso with contemporary and (apparently post-war) note.

GLC02688

1863/02/28

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Augustus M. Wright re: his son returning to duty upon recovery from wounds

Lee discusses Miller A. Wright's application for leave as well as personnel issues in Augustus R. Wright's regiment. Wright, Sr. had asked Lee to support his son's appeal for an extension of his leave of absence. With A.M. Wright's initialed endorsement to his son Miller: "I send you Gen Lees letter rec'd this morning that you may see exactly how matters stand ..." Lee writes: "The application of Lt. M. A. Wright for extension of his leave of absence was returned to the Sec. of war on the 21st recommended… I am very glad to hear that your Son is so nearly recovered. We require all good men…

GLC02691.02

1866 ca.

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Autograph note signed

Title: Note to Augustus R. Wright re: assuring Wright of his esteem

Written on a small scrap of paper, undated.

GLC02691.06

1863/05/08

Mathews, James D., fl. 1863

Letter

Title: to Robert E. Lee re: Wright's inability to serve in the field

Copy of two statements attesting to Wright's disability from a gunshot wound to the foot sustained at the Battle of Sharpsburg. Endorsement, signed by two other individuals, states that the original was sent to Robert E. Lee.

GLC02691.08

1864/11/24

Wright, Augustus Romaldus, 1813-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Andrew Johnson re: introduction and pledge of loyalty for son Miller

Asks Johnson to assist his son in finding honest work. "He was in command of the 38th Ga Reg at Antietam where he fell after 6 hours fighting ... He was pardoned by the President [Lincoln]."

GLC02691.09

1863/02/10

Parker, Ely S., 1828-1895

Autograph document signed

Title: [Petition to amend an 1861 New York state legislative act pertaining to the Tonawanda band of Seneca Indians]

Includes a cover letter by Parker, writing as chief and delegate of the Tonawanda band of Seneca Indians, that claims that the 1861 legislation entitled "An Act for the protection and improvement of the Tonawanda Band of Seneca Indians, residing on the Tonawanda reservation in this state" has been defective. The letter is followed by eight pages, most in Parker's hand, of drafted suggestions for amendments and repeals to various sections of the act. The final page has a list related to land allotment and a pencilled in note dated 30 May 1863 at the Chiefs Council also pertaining to…

GLC02707

February 27, 1865

Hastings, George S., fl. 1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Fidelia E. Stanley

Informs Mrs. Stanley, the mother of Lucius T. Stanley, that there are currently no openings for a lieutenant in the 107th New York Volunteers, but states that the New York Governor, Reuben E. Fenton, is interested in helping Lucius. Written on State of New York, Executive Department stationary. Mrs. Stanley's maiden name was Warner. Hastings was the governor's private secretary.

GLC02710.44.01

1812/09/14

Flournoy, Thomas, 1775-1857

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lt. Col. Smith

General Flournoy expresses alarm and seeks information about Smith's situation near St. Mary's, Georgia. Indicates that he is ordering reinforcements for him. Flournoy was a lawyer before serving in the War of 1812, when he succeeded General James Wilkinson as commander of the 7th Military District (Mississippi Territory, Louisiana, and Tennessee) and had the major responsibility of fighting the Creek Indians.

GLC02714

1873 ca.

Photograph signed

Title: [Cabinet photograph of Cassius Marcellus Clay]

Bust length 3/4 profile of Cassius Marcellus Clay, signed on image "C.M. Clay." Noted as Ae[tat] 73. Inscription on verso list Clay's birth and death year, 1810-1903.

GLC02720

1878/02/18

Norton, Joshua Abraham, 1819-1880

Document signed

Title: [Fifty-cent interest-bearing note from the Imperial Government of Norton I]

Signed by Joshua Abraham Norton as Norton I, self-proclaimed emperor of the United States. Check number 2510. On verso, affixed note reads "Yours Truly A.J. Bryant Mayor, San Francisco. Oct. 22nd, '78."

GLC02729.02

1833 ca.

Meiser, Edward S., fl. 1833

Map

Title: Map of the southern part of Texas

Map which belonged to Anthony Dey, a chief figure in the Galveston Bay & Texas Land Co. The map has had lands owned by the Company outlined in ink. Date inferred from provenance. Streeter, Texas 1137A and Philips Maps p. 843.

GLC02754

1830/12/10

Burnet, David G., fl. 1830-1870

Document signed

Title: Original contract for the Galveston Bay and Texas Land Company

The first copy of the contract. With an amendment signed by Anthony Dey , William Sumner and George Curtis and dated 11/9/1832.

GLC02757

1811/10/24

Lear, Tobias, 1762-1816

Manuscript document signed

Title: to Samuel Storer re: personal news & desire to have his son Lincoln join him

Marked "Duplicate" on first page. Written in a clerk's hand with Lear's signature. Lear thanks his brother-in-law, Storer, for letting his son, Lincoln, stay in Storer's home. Lear sends for Lincoln to join him in Algiers.

GLC02794.166

1809/11/25

Davis, George Barber, fl. 1803-1811

Letter signed

Title: to Tobias Lear re: circumstances of his service as Consul in Tripoli

Marked "Triplicate" on first page. Davis mentions that he has been an advocate for Ahmet Bashaw Caramanli: "[i]n so doing I have rather followed the Spirit than the letter of my instructions . . . ." Mentions family troubles and his wife's illness, exacerbated by his decision to remain in Tripoli "from a sense of public duty," and discusses gifts for the Bashaw's sons upon their marrgiages. Refers to his journal entry of 14 November 1809 (GLC 2794.126) for account of the reparations made for beating of American janissary. Docketed on the first page and on verso of p. 3.

GLC02794.156