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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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5 August 1776

Trumbull, Jonathan, Sr., 1710-1785

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Committee of Pay Table

Orders the committee to provide Chauncey Whittlesey with 1,000 pounds to purchase tents and supplies for the Continental Army. A document signed by Whittlesey on the verso, in Oliver Ellsworth's hand, is dated 6 August 1776; it indicates that he received the money.

GLC02335

14 September 1827

Willett, Marinus, 1740-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Christian Miller

Reports on the impending death of his brother and continues with a discourse on the subject. Discusses his belief in everlasting life for those who believe in the divine redeemer. Written in Cedar Grove neighborhood.

GLC02338

circa 1780

Lee, Charles, 1731-1782

Autograph letter

Title: to unknown

Writes as mercenary Major General in the Continental Army about the abuses of Congress. Remarks that "America had almost better be conquered ... then endure any longer such an odious tyranny as the capricious arbitrary government of an unlimited uncontrolable assembly." Stresses that " ... no consideration on earth should deter us from putting some immediate restraints on the Power of a body of Men ... " Note on verso of last page briefly describes what is included in the letter. Dated 25 May 1782 later in pencil but it is more likely circa 1780.

GLC02340

January 26, 1813

Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Madison

Apparently a retained draft briefly outlining the manner in which Gerry will take the vice presidential oath of office It is written on the verso of the docketed address leaf of a letter from Madison to Gerry. With Madison's free frank.

GLC02343

1 September 1869

Forrest, Nathan Bedford, 1821-1877

Document signed

Title: [1000 dollar Selma, Marion, and Memphis Railroad Company first mortgage eight percent bond]

Bond was "No. 465." Signed twice by Nathan Bedford Forrest as president of the railroad company; co-signed by company secretary, Alpheus Monroe Fowlkes. On verso, includes endorsement of the State of Alabama, signed 25 May 1870 by Governor William Hugh Smith. Bottom half of the page consists of 33 small $40 bond notes. Includes an account balance on verso, signed by a register [name illegible].

GLC02347

1862/05/16

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph E. Johnston re: defense of Richmond, troop positions, etc.

Written as commander in chief of the Army of Northern Virginia.

GLC02348

21 August 1863

Schofield, John McAllister, 1831-1906

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Myers

Schofield, commander of the Department of the Missouri, writes to Colonel Myers, Quartermaster for the Department of the Missouri. Writes, "Genl Hurlbut informs me that Steele and Davidson, who are now at Clarendon on White River, are much in want of forage, and that it is likely to be a serious matter" (Frederick Steele and John Wynn Davidson were at Clarendon, Arkansas). Orders Myers to transmit forage immediately. Written on Headquarters, Department of the Missouri stationery.

GLC02349

28 April 1887

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

Letter signed

Title: to G. R. Brown

Writes to Brown as the Editor of the New York Syndicate Bureau. Refuses to write an article requested by Brown. Exhibits his characteristically negative attitude toward newspapers and reporters by saying, "Further I would respectfully say that I am opposed to writing newspaper articles generally, and no consideration on your part could possibly overcome this determination."

GLC02350

21 April 1868

Thomas, George Henry, 1816-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry M. Cist

Writes to Union General Thomas concerning the various meetings of the armies of the Union. Writes that he does not believe General William T. Sherman wanted to break down the Society of Army of the Cumberland by having all the armies meet in Chicago next December. Discusses the scheduling of the various meetings. Mentions some ill will or dissatisfaction among the members of the Society of the Army of the Cumberland. States that he believes General Sherman was trying to please everyone with the arrangement of the meetings.

GLC02351

9 May 1805

Bainbridge, William, 1774-1833

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Rodgers

Commodore Bainbridge, imprisoned after his ship went aground on the Tunisian Coast on 29 December 1803, writes to Rogers, Commodore of the Mediterranean Squadron. States that he and other prisoners "feel confident that no exertions will be wanting in our brother officers to retain us, we only regret that we cannot share the honor and danger with them."

GLC02352

18 April 1846

Hatch, John Porter, 1822-1901

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza M. Hatch

Writes to his sister about a temporary cease fire. Discusses Mexican General Ampadia's proclamation to take Matamoros and General Taylor's polite letter that he and the Americans intend to stay. Mentions the citizens' fear that Matamoros will be destroyed and the government's inability to pay for reconstruction. Adds that the soldiers have almost completed a fort that should hold off the Mexicans. Discusses various divisions of Americans stationed throughout Mexico.

GLC02353

8 December 1846

Perry, Matthew Calbraith, 1794-1858

Autograph letter signed

Title: to David Connor

Written aboard the U.S.S. Mississippi, Perry discusses visiting Captain George E. Lambert of HMS Endymion regarding two prisoners who were taken aboard the Palsot for attempting to reconnoiter the enemies' powder magazine and brought to Vera Cruz. Perry mentions the departure of the Morris, a ship carrying provisions for Connor's ship, the McLane, and suggests he stock up on water while in Tampico, Mexico.The war with Mexico brought Perry the principal wartime command of his career. He was initially sent to the Gulf of Mexico as vice commodore of the American squadron with orders to relieve…

GLC02354

22 September 1792

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Document signed

Title: [Remitting fine and property to Marshall Jenkins].

Signed as secretary of the treasury. Remittance of the Brig "Betsy" and a cask of alcohol to the petitioner, Marshall Jenkins, after it had been forfeited.

GLC02355

25 August 1796

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stephen Van Rensselaer

Writing to his brother-in-law, New York State Senator Stephen Van Rensselaer (1791-1796), Hamilton introduces Minister of the French Republic Pierre Auguste Adet (1795-1797), who is visiting Albany, New York.

GLC02356

February 1, 1785

Hancock, John, 1737-1793

Document signed

Title: to William Davis and Benjamin Russell

Countersigned by John Avery as Secretary of State. Calls for Davis and Russell to take depositions from Patience and William Cornell regarding their divorce. Note on page two dated 8 February 1785 and signed by Justice William Davis, states that he has performed the duty requested. With paper seal of Massachusetts.

GLC02357

20 December 1929

Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964

Typed letter signed

Title: to Richard Edmonds

Acknowledges to Edmonds, the founding editor of the Manufactures Record, that their unemployment was high but contends "it is fantastic for the Englishman you mention to talk about five million." Also notes that he needs to hear from Edmonds "because it gives me a new and important slant amongst these new and conflicting views." Written on White House stationary. Accompanied by a signed White House card (see GLC02346.01.02)

GLC02346.01

1875/06/15

Bragg, Braxton, 1817-1876

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas F. Pinckney

Comments on the present difficulties faced by engineers, but sees better times ahead. Says that Texas has "a big and a bright future, far more promising than any other southern State." Claims the state now needs more laborers to reorganize the society and the economy for future growth.

GLC02359

1842/10/17

Waples, Joseph, fl. 1842

Autograph document signed

Title: Authorizing James Shaw to take certain government supplies in Austin

Signed as chief clerk of the Texas Dept. of State. Also signed by N. C. Hamilton (War) and M. P. Woodhouse (Treasury), for same purpose of getting stationery and other official supplies.

GLC02145.26

1843/02/06

Jones, Anson, 1798-1858

Letter signed

Title: to Thomas W. Ward re: asking Ward for Texas State Dept. parchment

GLC02145.31

1854/02/18