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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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01 July 1805

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Document signed

Title: Circular to the Consuls and Commercial Agents of the United States.

Discusses an act passed by Congress on 27 March 1804 pertaining to the registering of sea vessels. Mentions that the treasury department has no judicial authority in regards to disputes over lost vessels except that expressly given by United States law. Informs that official bonds given by the Consuls and Commercial agents require periodic renewal. Instructs consuls to send all publications in their district on epidemic diseases and quarantine regulations to the Department of State.

GLC08151

26 May 1939

Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945

Document signed

Title: [Pardon of John Nicholas for transporting a stolen vehicle].

Countersigned by Acting Attorney General James W. Morris. Nicholas, an alien, transported a stolen car across state lines and was sentenced to 2 years in prison on 18 April 1924. He served eight months at the Missouri Reformatory, Booneville, Missouri. Released on parole 17 February 1925. Roosevelt pardoned him so that Nicholas could avoid deportation, which would separate him from his American wife and family.

GLC08152

17 March 1864

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edwin Stanton

Recipient inferred because Stanton served as the Secretary of War under Lincoln. States that U.S. Representative from West Virginia, Kellian Whaley, called to know if General Robert Milroy might report to General Franz Sigel. Whaley says that Sigel declines the appointment. Asks if General Stahel can also be sent to General Sigel. Stahel commanded troops under Sigel at New Market, Virginia. Milroy commanded a brigade attached to Sigel's corps at the Battle of Second Manassas.

GLC08153

02 March 1862

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hannibal Hamlin

Requesting name of Maine man to appoint Brigadier General. With Hamlin's note on bottom that Hiram Berry was appointed, served ably, but was killed at the battle of Chancellorsville on 3 May 1863.

GLC08157

18 February 1864

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Document signed

Title: [Authority to affix the Seal of the United States to the pardon of William J. Porter.]

GLC08159

14 July 1862

Stanton, Edwin M. (Edwin McMasters), 1814-1869

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: [Petition to President Abraham Lincoln to arrange for the release of Union prisoners held in Richmond, Virginia].

Mary Morrison, Amanda Morrison, and Mary Wheeler, two wives and a sister of Union supporters imprisoned by the Confederate Army request that the Union Army take seven Confederate supporters living in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and arrange to have a prisoner transfer, citing a prior instance of such an exchange. The Union prisoners were Moses Morrison, Thomas Morrison, Major Charles Williams, and Peter Cousse. Secretary of War Stanton's endorsement supports the request and asks General John Pope to hold the "disloyal persons" until the petitioners' kin are returned.

GLC08160

06 May 1861

Ellsworth, E. E. (Elmer Ephraim), 1837-1861

Autograph document signed

Title: [Special order]

Setting up the orders of the day for the 1st New York Fire Zouaves. Gives orders about breakfast and duties. States a police guard should be posted at 5 o'clock and allow no one to pass. Charges the quartermaster with inspecting the guns, and orders captains to hand in a roll of their commands by 9 o'clock. Ellsworth organized the NY Fire Zouaves from volunteer NY firefighters. He was killed on 24 May 1861 and was the first well known individual to die in the Civil War.

GLC08169

circa 1770-1785

Engraving

Title: Major John Andre, Late Adjutant General to the British Army in North America

Full length engraving of Andre in uniform done for Raymond's History of England. Printed with "Dodd delin," and "Cook sculp." near bottom.

GLC01450.201.01

December 1949

Rickenbacker, Edward Vernon, 1890-1973

Typed letter signed

Title: to George L. Rihl

Rickenbacker sees an "alien philosophy" of wanting "something for nothing" as infiltrating American society. He argues that the people are to blame, not the government or so-called rich. He sees bankruptcy as the result, unless everyone orients themselves away from material things and toward the country's spiritual welfare. He views Christmas as an opportune time for such a rededication. With 2 photos.

GLC05508.010.02