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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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Year

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1795/02/17

Belknap, Jeremy, 1744-1798

Document signed

Title: Queries Respecting the Introduction, Progress and Abolition of Slavery in Mass.

Small broadside, disbound and signed by Belknap. Virginian St. George Tucker wrote a 1796 Dissertation on Slavery, proposing abolition. As part of his research, he queried colleagues with a list of eleven questions which are printed here. Jeremy Belknap, first Corresponding Secretary of the Massachusetts Historical Society, is believed to be responsible for this printing for distribution to local colleagues. Evans 28257, MHS 2738.

GLC06764

1778/03/28

South Carolina

Pamphlet

Title: An Act to oblige...to give Assurance of Fidelity and Allegiance...[loyalty oath]

Pamphlet. In part: "any Person refusing or neglecting to take said Oath... shall be adjudged guilty of Treason against this State...." Sabin 87627. Stab-stitched. Large tear on titlepage, not affecting text.

GLC06765

1789/09/09

The Constitution of the United States

Newspaper

Title: Essex Journal and New Hampshire packet. [No. 271 (September 9, 1789)]

Scarce newspaper printing of the seventeen amendments introduced by James Madison in the first Congress. Includes proceedings of Congress, introducing the amendments. The name "Mr. John Adams" has been inscribed in the left hand margin of the front page. Brigham 1: 375.

GLC06766

1734/05/06

Zenger, John P., 1697-1746

Newspaper

Title: New-York weekly journal. [No. 27 (May 6, 1734)]

Two pages on one half-sheet. Includes advertisement for defense of James Alexander. Brigham 1: 699.

GLC06770

1848/04/24

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Letcher re: explaining his opposition to War of 1812

Explaining his opposition, as "a student of law & a very young man," to the declaration of war against Great Britain at the beginning of the War of 1812, which "however, did not prevent me from sustaining the war... as an individual and as a member of the Legislature of Pennsylvania." Letcher was serving as a Democratic delegate for president and seeking information. Buchanan was not nominated in 1848 (Polk was)

GLC06771.01

1814/05/12

Stephens, Issac, fl. 1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Mackey re: account of Battle of Horseshoe Bend, with drawing

Written on light pink paper to his uncle, Henry Mackey at Lexington, Va. A plan and account of the battle of Horseshoe Bend, the last battle of the Creek War, after which the Creek leader Red Eagle surrendered to Jackson and signed a treaty abandoning their lands in Southern Georgia and Alabama. The drawing, which is well drawn and detailed, is entitled "A correct View of the Battle of the Horse-Shoe, March 27th 1814... when the Indians were totally destroyed by the unequaled bravery of the gallant sons of Tennessee, commanded by General Jackson." Stephens's letter (with the attached…

GLC06772

1861/12/20

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Letcher re: approving a Virginia ordinance to improve the militia

Davis, writing as Confederate President-elect, finds the re-organization of the Virginia militia "most acceptable to a free and patriotic people." The Virginia ordinance raised standards for physical fitness and increased terms of service

GLC06773

1845/11/25

Houston, Sam, 1793-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Letcher re: Houston's retirement and first born son

Concerning Houston's desire for a life of happy domesticity in retirement, "to pass the remainder of my earthly existence" with his wife ("she gets all the credit for my good actions, and I have to endure all the censure of my bad ones.") and first-born son ("he will do for pioneer").

GLC06774

1778/05/09

Laurens, Henry, 1724-1792

Broadside

Title: An Address of the Congress to the Inhabitants of North America

An important statement of the Continental Congress (subscribed by Laurens, as President of Congress), concerning the origins of the Revolutionary War, the cruelty of the British, certainty of Independence, call to Arms, the resources of America; eventually "the full tide of wealth will flow in upon your shores." Printed at Boston by Powars & Willis.

GLC06779

1838/02/16

Van Buren, Martin, 1782-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William L. Macy re: speech of John C. Calhoun

GLC06780

1865 ca.

Title: Sherman's March by torchlight through the swamps of South Carolina [from book]

GLC06783.01

1865 ca.

Title: Battle of "Gettysburgh" [Gettysburg] [from book]

GLC06783.02

1864/02/23

Document

Title: G. O. no. 5 court martial orders re: court martial of 6 men

GLC06783.08

1876/02/12

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Autograph letter

Title: to Crafts J. Wright re: vehement denial of claims that Davis started the war

Signature removed. Davis denies that he "instigated and precipitated" the Civil War, and that he "left the U.S. Govt. to be made Presdt. of the Confederate Govt." Davis also addresses the questions of "Negro" Troops and exchange of "Negro" prisoners. With asterisked noted written upside down at top of p. 7.

GLC06784

1861/06/05

Broadside

Title: Committee of Safety for Montgomery County.....

Requesting committees be formed at the courthouse to "Assist in suppressing insurrection or repelling invasion." Paper has purple stain from inactive mold at left margin.

GLC06785.01

1860/11/08

Hunt, Andrew, fl. 1860

Broadside

Title: To The Voters of Jefferson County [Secession]

In bid to be representative at Virginia Secession Convention.

GLC06785.02

1850/01/01-15

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Bates re: schoolroom experiences; opinion re: the "Christmas Religion"

Written while employed as a young school teacher in Northeast Ohio. Includes accounts of two altercations with disobedient schoolboys.

GLC06786

1821-1843

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Header Record

Title: Collection of nine letters [decimalized]

GLC06789

[1815]/05/15

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Letter signed

Title: to James Winchester re: procedures of court of inquiry

For conduct of resigned officers. The letter, dated "Nashville 23, May 15" should actually be dated 1815; Winchester responded on June 5, 1815, per the Andrew Jackson Papers

GLC06789.01

1821/03/12

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Winchester re: tour to "Bluff and Back Again"

Differing opinions on how to equally divide land. Waterstains on the top third affect appearance but not legibility.

GLC06789.02

1842/08/01

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James W. Breedlove re: his anger about Sen. Conrad's attack on him

"The attack of Mr. Conrad in the United States Senate upon me...He had hitherto in all his public speeches approved my course..." Requests History of Judge Martin and declares....the reign of the Whiggs will terminate with the present Congress, when honest men will again be brought into power...." The letter has some severe bleedthrough, affecting legibility.

GLC06789.03

1842/10/03

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James W. Breedlove re: Martin's history of Louisiana, Clay's attacks on him

Jackson mentions receipt of Judge Martin's history of Louisiana and describes his belef that Henry Clay influenced the writing of Morten and the attack on Jackson by Senator Conrad: "should Mr. Conrad take back his slander and do me justice, he will be spared."

GLC06789.04