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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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1751/05/01

Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790

Document signed

Title: Promissary notes no. 15, no. 16 to raise funds for Pennsylvania hospital

First American incorporated public hospital; no. 16 is signed in by Franklin; subscribers signatures excised as cancellation.

GLC06877

1805/10

Rush, Benjamin, 1746-1813

Autograph document signed

Title: Medical bill to the estate of Manuel Eyre (c/s Samuel Griffits)

With separate consultation bill by Samuel P. Griffits ("Griffetts")

GLC06878

1918/06/19

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Typed letter signed

Title: to W.S. Rainsford

Misaddressed to "Ranisford." TR writes in part "I think vulgar boasting and vulgar depreciation of the courage and efficiency of our enemies represent the nadir of patriotism and good taste..." On stationery of the Kansas City Star. Corrected in T.R.'s hand.

GLC06879

1914/12/12

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Typed letter signed

Title: to W. S. Rainsford

"I am a radical and I could never be anything else; but I am a sane radical and I know we cannot get people to digest too much radicalism..." Corrected in T.R.'s hand. On personal stationery. Some water damage to inks.

GLC06880

1864/09/23

Walker, Mary, fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Col. James Hardie

Seeking Presidential confirmation of Walker's rank as Major. "I told the President of the risks I encountered in being taken prisoner on purpose and preventing their attacking our army which we were hardly able to act."

GLC06882

1829/12/08

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Broadside

Title: President's Message. First address to Congress [on silk]

GLC06747

1801/09/03

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bureaux Pusy?? re: assistance to Revolutionary veteran, forwarding

Letter is addressed to Pusey, and appears to be forwarding a petition for Congress to introduce. Written in Monticello

GLC06749.01

1863/07/15

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: Authority to affix the seal to proclamation for day of Thanksgiving

Ordering a day of national thanksgiving on 6 August 1863 for victories at Gettysburg and Vicksburg, seeking restoration of the Union and God's intervention to "subdue the anger which has produced... a needless and cruel rebellion...." Lined on verso; ink appears to have been affected by previous treatment.

GLC06754

1864/06/08

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lew Wallace re: asking for advice on discharge of soldier at Ft. McHenry

Regarding the discharge of soldier Thomas Washington Smith. WithANS of Lew Wallace at the bottom concerning the inquiry, responding, and forwarding to Col. Wooley.

GLC06755

1865/03/21

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edwin M. Stanton re: arranging trip to review troops at City Point

"Mrs. L. proposes 3 P.M. Thursday, and says she can not be ready sooner. Let it be so." (Mary Todd Lincoln had an infamous fit of jealousy over her husband's accompaniment by General Ord's wife during this trip.)

GLC06756

1801/07/16

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Letter signed

Title: to Griffith Evans re: requesting expense report from Board of Commissioners

Madison asks for a detailed expense report. Evans had been secretary of the Board. Very minor losses affecting letters on the address leaf.

GLC06758

1818/11/17

Monroe, James, 1758-1831

Broadside

Title: President's Message. National Intelligencer Extra

Monroe's address to the second session of the fifteenth Congress. Printed in 5 columns. Brigham 1: 103.

GLC06759

1778/05/05

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to Alexander McDougall re: ordering reinforcements to New York area

Writing to McDougall at Fishkill, concerning getting reinforcements for the area about New York, especially in the Hudson Highlands. Washington notes that Americans should not take for granted the help of France in winning independence; he does not want Americans to "relapse into a state of supineness." In the handwriting of Washington's military secretary and aide-de-camp Tench Tilghman.

GLC06767

1781/07/01

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Letter signed

Title: to Col. Charles Stewart re: requesting provisions for attack on British

Stewart, Commissary to the Army, is ordered by Washington to provide "four days provisions" to enable a surprise attack on the British. General Benjamin Lincoln led the attack down the Hudson River, but the British were alerted, fortified their positions on the Harlem River, and fended off the attack. In the handwriting of Washington's military secretary and aide-de-camp Tench Tilghman.

GLC06768

1784/07/14

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Tench Tilghman re: requesting employment for his nephew, Corbin

Washington writes on behalf of his nephew, Corbin Washington, who "is inclined to enter into a Mercantile walk of life." Washington says he knows little of Corbin but asks his former aide Tilghman "if it would be convenient for you to take him into your counting House, and immediately under your eye...." Tilghman died later this year.

GLC06769

1857/12/19

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Document

Title: White House dinner invitation to Gov. Letcher and his wife

Engraved invitation, filled-out with manuscript additions, inviting Letcher and his wife to dinner "at 6 O'Clock. Dec. 19. 1857."

GLC06771.02

1867/01/15

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Document signed

Title: Pardon of John Letcher for rebellion (c/s William H. Seward)

Accompanied by collateral transmittal letter from Henry Stanberry, the Attorney General's office 23 Jan. 1867. Letcher had been Confederate govenror of Virginia.

GLC06775

1865/08/28

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Letcher re: urging concilatory attitude towards Yankees

Concening President's Johnson's Reconstruction Policy. Lee asks "to calm feelings which have too long existed... the interest of the state are... the same as those of the U. States" Written near Centreville, Virginia.

GLC06776

1860/10/30

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Letter signed

Title: to John Letcher re: transmitting Scott's policy paper, with Scott AES to Letcher

The policy paper (.02) was prepared for President Buchanan and Sec. of War John Floyd. Scott has endorsed page 4, to Letcher, with date 31 October 1860.

GLC06777.01

1860/10/29

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866

Manuscript document signed

Title: Views suggested by the imminent danger... [response to secession crisis]

Entitled "Views suggested by the imminent danger... of a disruption of the Union lay the secession of one or more southern states." Endorsed on verso: "Copy, not for publication, but for his Ex[cellency]. Gov. Letcher."

GLC06777.02