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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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26 September 1864

Wait, Horatio L., 1836-1916

Autograph letter signed

Title: to my darling wife

He has been sick with a headache and has been vomiting. He talks at length about disciplining Jimmy and how to deal with her parents who have other ideas on how to raise him.

GLC08284.102

22 September 1864

Wait, Horatio L., 1836-1916

Autograph letter signed

Title: to my darling wife

He spends a great deal of time praising his wife for the majority of the letter.

GLC08284.103

26 June 1863

Wait, Horatio L., 1836-1916

Autograph letter signed

Title: to my darling wife

They are patiently awaiting orders. He includes a sketch of a ship.

GLC08284.104

30 March 1879 - 19 June 1879

Wait, James, fl. 1879

Autograph manuscript

Title: Daily log, included within a letter

He is sorry for the death of Mrs. Chase. Everyone on board his ship is sick including the doctor so he is running the medical department. He tells the story of their rocky journey. Rest of manuscript reads like a daily log.

GLC08284.105

1861-1877

Wait, Horatio L., 1836-1916

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Angel Darling (wife)

He regrets that he could not be with her during their boy's most important years of growth. He is glad she got a reliable stove though it is a poor subsitute for a husband.

GLC08284.106

1861-1877

Wait, Horatio L., 1836-1916

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Darling Lovely Little Wife

Another letter of praise for his wife. He wishes he were there with her and imagines her sitting on his lap. He says she has a way with words that he does not.

GLC08284.107

5 January 1864

Wait, Horatio L., 1836-1916

Autograph letter signed

Title: to my darling Wife

He has received her letter in which she tells him Jimmy has been ill. He wants to know all the details and whether he has now recovered. He tells her to talk to doctor and find out all the various causes.

GLC08284.108

1861-1877

Wait, Horatio L., 1836-1916

Autograph letter signed

Title: to my darling little Angel (wife)

He can't stand the thought of her needing him especially as he needs her. He is so isolated and kept apart from his wife and child. He asks her to write about herself more than anyone else.

GLC08284.109

28 May 1865

Wait, Horatio L., 1836-1916

Autograph letter signed

Title: to darling Cherry

The Secretary of the Navy finally arrived, as well as the steamer Clyde with Jefferson Davis on board. Later he went on board the Santiago de Cuba and was introduced to the ladies of the party. Written at Charleston Harbor.

GLC08284.110

9 March 1865

Wait, Horatio L., 1836-1916

Autograph letter signed

Title: to darling Cherry

He tries to give her words of encouragement towards being strong and happy apart from him. He then proceeds to sing her praises, as she has always done more than he anticipated as a wife. Written at Charleston Harbor.

GLC08284.111

14 February 1879

Wait, James, fl. 1879

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father (Horatio Wait)

He trying to decide whether or not a life at sea is for him. He describes the food. He visits a ship called the Three Brothers and sketches part of it in the margin. He tells the story of a horse going overboard.

GLC08284.112

11 February 1879

Gibson, W.C., fl. 1879

Autograph letter signed

Title: to My Dear Wait (Horatio)

He went aboard the St. Mary to visit James Wait. He is described as one of the brightest boys. He likes sea life but complains of lonliness.

GLC08284.113

12 October 1878

Gibson, W.C., fl. 1879

Autograph letter signed

Title: to My Dear Wait (Horatio)

He spent some time with Jimmy and discovered he had a good grasp of nautical information. He predicts Jimmy will take after his father and succeed.

GLC08284.114

11 July 1878

Gibson, W.C., fl. 1879

Autograph letter signed

Title: to My Dear Wait (Horatio)

He thinks Jimmy will learn more aboard the St. Mary than he would aboard a merchant vessel.

GLC08284.115

19 August 1863

Frances, fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sister Chara

She may come to New York soon. Lizzie had a baby girl. Includes letter from J.W Barker. Mostly illegible.

GLC08284.116

21 August 1864

Wait, Horatio L., 1836-1916

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

He tells the story of a captain who had his wife on board. She was very sick and he asked for ice to ease her pain but no one would give him so he left the ship and his wife later died.

GLC08284.117

21 October 1866

Wait, Horatio L., 1836-1916

Autograph letter signed

Title: to ma cherie Marie

He thinks France is the greatest nation in the world next to the USA. He wishes whole heartedly that she could be with him. He sings the praises of Paris, including the architecture and the art.

GLC08284.118