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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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January 28, 1775

Sartine, Antoine de, comte d'Alby, 1729-1801

Manuscript document signed

Title: Marche pour la forniture des ancres, fers, cloux et outils necessaires au service du Roi dans les colonies de l'Amerique [in French]

A nine year contract for providing goods to the American colonies. Lists the prices of over three hundred items, including implements for various artisans and farmers. Also contains two articles relating to labor. Signed well before any formal French agreement (or the Hortalez & Cie arrangement) with Congress. Also signed by Chaussade. Original cover disbound, but included.

GLC00404

February 16, 1863

Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to C.A. Reynolds

Written "before Vicksburg." Grant, commanding Army and Department of the Tennessee, writes to Lieutenant Colonel Reynolds, Chief Quartermaster. Writes "on your arrival at Memphis seize all transports coming into port for the use of the Army here, excerpt such as are absolutely necessary for carrying Government supplies from above. When it becomes practicable to release any boats again give those boats the preference that have been constantly in Govt. employ... boats will be required here to transport a large army and nearly all at one time."

GLC00405

February 13, 1863

Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to C.A. Reynolds

Written "Before Vicksburg." Grant, commanding Army and Department of the Tennessee, writes to Lieutenant Colonel Reynolds, Chief Quartermaster. Indicates that he is sending boats from his location for the transport of General James Birdseye McPherson's remaining troops. Docketed twice; once in pencil.

GLC00406

June 1852

Stuart, James Ewell Brown, 1833-1864

Book signed

Title: Official register of the officers and cadets of the U. S. Miltary Academy, West Point, New York.

Title page signed by three cadets who later became distinguished Civil War generals, two of them Confederates: J.E.B. Stuart, John B. Chambliss, and William B. Hazen. Chambliss signstwice, W. B. Hazen once, and Stuart once, with the rare form of his name, "James E. B. Stuart, Va." Printed names of these men are found in the pamphlet (Stuart had 49 demerits for the entire year). With doodles, sketched portraits and annotations throughout. Both Chambliss and Stuart were born in Virginia in 1833, served in the Confederate army together during much of the war, both died in combat in 1864.W. B.…

GLC00407

November 22, 1853

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to H. Devereuse, Salem, Mass.

Docketed at top: "Col. Lee, Novr 22/53" Discusses Cadet's progress at West Point.

GLC00408

1865

Schneck, B. S. (Benjamin Shroder), 1806-1874

Pamphlet

Title: The Burning of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.

Printed by Lindsay & Blakiston. Fourth edition. Account of Reverend B.S. Schneck, D.D., an eyewitness and sufferer of the burning of the city. With corroborative statements from the Rev. J. Clark, Hon. A.K. McClure, J. Hoke, Esq., Rev. T.G. Apple, Rev. B Bausman, Rev. S.J. Niccolls, and J.K. Shryock, Esq. Also includes a plan of the burnt portion of the town.

GLC00410

January 21, 1780

Penn, John, 1741-1788

Letter signed

Title: to Richard Caswell

Co-signed by North Carolina Congressmen Thomas Burke and Allen Jones. Written in what appears to be Penn's hand. Penn was also a North Carolina Continental Congressman and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Written to Caswell as Governor of North Carolina. Mentions an enclosed and authentic "Extract of Intelligence" (not included). Says as the presiding magistrate of North Carolina, Caswell has a duty to stay vigilant against the enemy. They express fears "from the ill-judging class of our citizens, and from our negroes and should [the British] attempt to invade or penetrate any…

GLC00414

1863

Barnard, John Gross, 1815-1882

Book signed

Title: Report of the Engineer and Artillery Operations of Army of the Potomac, from Its Organization to the Close of the Peninsular Campaign

Written by Chief Engineer Brigadier General Barnard with Chief of Artillery Brigadier General William F. Barry (1818-1879). Has inscription on first page: "Col. R. Delafield U.S. 9 With compliments of Gen. Barnard." Published by D. Van Nostrand at 192 Broadway. Printed by C.A. Alvord, Stereotyper and Printer. Contains 22 reports of various engineering and artillery actions of Union officers. Reports listed in contents on pages 5-6. Contains 18 large lithographed folded maps and plans at the back of the book. Maps listed on page 7. Pebble-grained red cloth cover, stamped with gilt on front…

GLC00415

1780

Massachusetts Bay Colony

Pamphlet

Title: An Address of the Convention for Framing a New Constitution of Government, for the State of Massachuetts-Bay to these Constituents.

An address to the constituents of Massachusetts Bay Colony detailing the newly completed Massachusetts constitution.

GLC00417

29 May 1775

Livingston, Peter Van Brugh, 1710-1792

Document signed

Title: [New York Provisional Congress resolution to form county committees]

Written by Livingston, a wealthy merchant, as President of the New York Provisional Congress. Printed letter at the top of recto asks counties that have not formed committees to do so without delay. Also says no coercive steps should be made to force people to get involved. Bottom part of recto contains resolution of the Provisional Congress for townships, precincts, and districts to form county committees. Also recommends that those that have neglected to subscribe to "the general Association," to do it with convenient speed. Also asks that committees send names of those who refuse or…

GLC00418

1790

Pennsylvania, Constitution

Pamphlet

Title: Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

1st printing; untrimmed; signed "Hon:ble Paine Wingate Esq." Sabin 60017; Evans 27760; DAB 20:387

GLC00421

1812

United States. Congress

Pamphlet

Title: Address ... to their constituents on the subject of the war with Great Britain

Disbound. Signed "J Kent." Has states pencilled next to names of delegates in a different hand. Kent was an Assoc. Supreme Court Justice and Chancellor of Columbia Law School. A-D4 E2 ($1 signed)

GLC00422

October 27, 1852

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lewis M. Hays

Lincoln suggests that his client, Lewis Hays, drops the lawsuit against George Turley as he won't get the money. He makes this determination as the defendant, George Turley, is "poor and a cripple." Written on blue stationery and accompanied by an envelope.

GLC00426

July 21, 1863

Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Judson D. Bingham

Grant writes to Lieutenant Colonel Bingham, Chief Quartermaster of the depot at Nashville, Tennessee: "l have relieved Mr. Livermore of his functions as Negro Commissioner and taken from him the control of the Steamer [Potter]. It seems one boat has been kept for the use of the negro regiments and another for the Commissioners. One it seems to me can do the business for all the contrabands both soldiers and others." Discusses transporting rations and re-directing the use of the boats.

GLC00427

May 11, 1776

Whipple, William, 1730-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Langdon

Written by Whipple as a Continental Congressman from New Hampshire to Langdon as a Continental Congressman from New Hampshire (he was to leave that body in June 1776). Whipple was also a colonel of militia and later signed the Declaration of Independence. References Langdon's letter from April 29, 1776. Says there was "a little Brush" with the men of war "Roebuch" and "Liverpool." Says the ships came up as far as Wilmington, Delaware and stole cattle from the Jersey shore. Reports that 18 gallies made two attacks on the ships. The first one was undertaken at too far a distance to be effective…

GLC00429

April 26, 1776

Williams, William, 1731-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Lawrence

Signed as one of three members of the school commission. Williams also signs on behalf of members John Clark and Ebenezer Bushnell. Williams assesses Lawrence for money to support the school in Lebanon. With autograph note on verso acknowledging receipt of payment.

GLC00430

1846-1888