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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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20 September 1861

Blair, Montgomery, 1813-1883

Autograph document signed

Title: to Francis P. Blair Jr.

Telegraph draft to his brother, regarding the quarrel between Francis Blair and John C. Frémont. Blair writes, "Fremont requests your letter from President & I sent it, It will do to stand by - Caution friends against controversy with the Provost either in German or English…." Francis Blair had been highly influential in getting Frémont appointed as commander of the Western Department, which included Blair's home state of Missouri. Blair had believed Frémont would ensure that Missouri remained under Union control, but he quickly clashed with him, and began to lobby for his dismissal from…

GLC02089

14-17 April 1862

Blair, Montgomery, 1813-1883

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Francis S. Corkran

Date and location from docket. Previously showed a letter from Corkran to President Abraham Lincoln. In response, Lincoln desired to see an article related to the topic of the letter, in "The American" (possibly a newspaper with which Corkran was affiliated). Lincoln also read and approved a speech by Frank (likely Francis Preston Blair), Montgomery's brother, covering Lincoln's views on slavery. Discusses the speech, noting that if "published and public attention can be attracted to it it will help to quiet things in Maryland very much... [and] to releave the people of Maryland of any…

GLC02090

22 August 1863

Chase, Salmon P. (Salmon Portland), 1808-1873

Letter signed

Title: to Andrew Jamieson

Writes to Jamieson, the Collector at Alexandria, Virginia in reference to the transport of merchandise such as cotton and tobacco to the states in rebellion. Instructs that Jamieson will have to prepare a statement each month showing the number of permits granted to transport goods to the rebellious states, including any money received for these permits and the total value of the merchandise transported. Also orders that the same will apply to any money received from the sale of captured, seized, or abandoned property. Chase signs as Secretary of the Treasury. On Treasury Department…

GLC02091

1865/06/16

Schurz, Carl, 1829-1906

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alfred Howe Terry

Lengthy letter describing the war-time sacrifices of Erhandz Richter, a Richmond brewer, presumably of German origin, who sacrificed his fortune and risked his family to serve in the Union Army. Schurz pleads Richter's cause with the commander of the Dept. of Virginia, asking him to assist Richter in returning to his business, which had been sold off by his partners, who were Confederate sympathizers. With a docket on the verso from Head Quarters in Richmond concerning action to be taken about Richter and his brewery.

GLC02094

18 September 1867

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Dr. W. Carnac

Lee briefly responds to a query from Dr. W. Carnac denying the allegation that there was any romantic involvement between George Washington and Sue Grimes (Grymes), the first wife of Nathaniel Burwell. Lee comments that although he believes Washington acknowledged the beauty of Miss Grimes (Grymes), anything beyond that is imagined. Dr. W. Carnac previously sent Lee a manuscript (not included) detailing the alleged involvement.

GLC02096

1866/02/15

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Document signed

Title: Envelope: case of soldier who sought transfer from volunteer to regular army

Memorandum on the face of an Executive printed stationery envelope, in the case of Capt. W. A. Wainwright (Vols.), seeking a transfer to the regular army. Docketed by Acting Sec. of War Thomas Eckert on envelope flap, when Johnson was trying to fire Stanton.

GLC02097

[13 March] 1832

Tyler, John, 1790-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to R. F. Graves

Written as a Senator from Virginia before passage of the tariff of 1832 which caused South Carolina to "nullify" the law and led to the nullification crisis. The letter is dated "Washington 13. 1832." (The Tariff was passed 14 July 1832.) Tyler encloses a copy of his speech on the tariff bill and regrets that he cannot send copies of Henry Clay's speech. He concludes, "Whether we shall settle the tariff or not remains to be determined. I think a better spirit prevails than at the commencement of the session." Also mentions that the "apportionment Bill passed yesterday to its 3d reading…

GLC02099

1844/04/13

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward D. Gazzam re: Texas and the annexation treaty

Written as Senator from Pennsylvania to his friend Edward Gazzam. Buchanan's delaying tactics the following year as Secretary of State under Tyler allowed the president to ask for a declaration of war against Mexico. A portion of the letter on p. 1 was removed by cutting, probably by Buchanan. With free frank.

GLC02100

1840/12/09

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John B. Butler re: results of a meeting with the President

Written as Senator from Pennsylvania. Buchanan met with the President to discuss Edward Gazzam's claims (to be made minister to Texas). He adds "There is no news. The better opinion seems to be that Webster will be the Secretary of State under Harrison." With free franked integral address leaf docketed.

GLC02101

1 April 1842

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward D. Gazzam

Expresses the great value he places on Gazzam's friendship and political support. Comments that the office of the president is one that should not be sought out, but should also not be declined. Written as Senator from Pennsylvania. With a postscript at the end stating he will return to Washington tomorrow or Monday. Later addition, in another hand at the end "(x office of President)." Addressed to Gazzam in Petersburg, Pennsylvania.

GLC02102

27 January 1847

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward D. Gazzam

Encloses a passport and a letter for General Campbell. Gazzam was to depart on a voyage to Havana soon and apparently asked Buchanan if there were any dispatches needing posting. Buchanan politely replies that dispatches post to Havana by mail very quickly and that couriers are not usually paid to carry them so he cannot comply with his request.

GLC02103

1844/02/03

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward D. Gazzam re: American interests better served by Texas independence

Written as Senator from Pennsylvania, regarding the bill for admission of Texas to the Union and South Carolina's opposition to another Tariff bill. Buchanan argues that an independent Texas would be better for America unless Great Britain were to annex it. He also dismisses South Carolina's (and Calhoun's) complaint that the Tariff impoverished the South by pointing to cheap cotton production in newer states like Mississippi or Alabama. (Recent historians agree with him.)

GLC02104

17 October 1974

Ford, Gerald R., 1913-2006

Document signed

Title: Statement before Subcomm. on Criminal Justice re: his pardon of Nixon

Statement by the President released by the White House Press Secretary and signed by Ford on the upper right corner of the first page.

GLC02109

13 August 1872

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

Document signed

Title: [Presidential authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal to the pardon of Van Kennedy].

GLC02110

19 January 1844

Morse, Samuel Finley Breese, 1791-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John C. Spencer

States that the lead pipe delivered by F.O. J. Smith, the contractors with Mr. Tatham and his brothers, is defective. Describes the main problem, "I find it defective in many points but particularly in the destructive effect that has been produced upon the insulation of the wires by the hot process of manufacture." Informs that the wires will have to be removed from the pipes, re-varnished, and put back in the pipe. Estimates the cost of the repairs to be $500. States that the Tathams will credit $50 of the cost. Puts much of the blame on his Assistant Professor Fiskee, whom he has since…

GLC02112

15 March 1844

Morse, Samuel Finley Breese, 1791-1872

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John C. Spencer

Answers Spencer's questions about matters involving telegraphic conductors. Gives information on who will supply the pipe, pricing and payment, and delivery of it. States that he first found out about the deficiencies of the pipe on 6 December 1843. With an addition in a different ink at the end of the last paragraph.

GLC02113