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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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1493

Columbus, Christopher, 1451-1506

Pamphlet

Title: Epistola Christofori Colom... de insulis Indie supra Gangem.... [exploration]

First edition, in Latin, second (corrected) issue, printed at Rome after 29 April 1493. Gothic type; 33 lines per page. Pamphlet printing letter to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain concerning his first voyage to America, the so-called Barcelona letter. The earliest printed Columbus letter, describing his discovery of the Caribbean islands of Juana and Hispaniola.

GLC01427

June 10, 1847

Hamlin, Hannibal, 1809-1891

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jabez True

Hamlin informs True that he will probably not be nominated for county Sheriff. Discusses the political caucus debating nominations. Hamlin and others support True's candidacy, but believe that the "nomination for Shff for our county" will probably go to Chamberlain instead of True. Also discusses other nominations and upcoming elections. Excerpt: "…Stetson has done all that man could do and I have aided all in my power, but I must say that we now think the matter looks very doubtful – We both fear that Chamberlain will be nominater, which justice requires, and we yet hope it will not be…

GLC01429

1861-1862

Header Record

Title: Confederate collection - Florida [decimalized]

[decimalized 01430.01-01430.05]

GLC01430

October 9, 1862

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Letter signed

Title: to Governor John Milton

Davis writes as President of the Confederate States to the Governor of Florida about enforcing the Conscript Act in the state and encloses a copy of the instructions (not present). Addresses the issue of physically unfit men reporting for duty and directs that it is the duty of the mustering and inspecting officers to refuse them. Letter written to Milton in Tallahassee, Florida.

GLC01430.01

November 25, 1861

Garner, George Gibson, 1830-1877

Letter

Title: to John Milton

Garner (possibly Gardner), Assistant Adjutant General, writes from Head Quarters of the Department of Alabama and West Florida, near Pensacola. He replies to a letter from Milton, Governor of Florida, and relates that his commanding general, Braxton Bragg, "regrets that he has no guns Engineers or Artillery officers to spare, Every resourse he possesses is ... needed for the defence of this point, now menaced with formidable forces." He declines Milton's offer of cavalry. States that Lieutenant [G] is discharged and on his way home. Marked as a copy.

GLC01430.02

November 7, 1862

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to John Milton

Davis discusses the defense of Florida. He has received Milton's letter requesting aid to Florida. He notes the need to defend Florida, but is unable to send troops. He will, however, send arms and officers. Letter written primarily in the hand of Davis' private secretary Burton Harrison, with a ten line addition in Davis's hand and signed by Davis.

GLC01430.03

January 8, 1861

Brown, Joseph Emerson, 1821-1894

Letter signed

Title: to Madison Starke Perry

Georgia Governor Brown writes to Florida Governor Perry about the importance of taking control of Pensacola, Florida. He acknowledges "that it will be regarded as a bold move, but it is better to look danger full in the face, than by inaction to give our enemies the advantage." He explains that it is "a key position" because "a strong Naval force there may control the commerce of the Gulf of Mexico" and that "its occupation by federal troops would place us in imminent danger." Marked private.

GLC01430.04

December 1861

Header Record

Title: Items related to the capture of three men in Apalachicola, Florida. [Decimalized .01-.02]

GLC01430.05

1790/05/26

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Printed document signed

Title: An Act to provide for Mitigating or Remitting the Forefeitures and Penalties, accruing under the Revenue-Laws, in certain cases therin mentioned.

Places district judges in charge of all cases of fines, penalty of forfeiture, etc. Judges then report the cases to the Secretary of the Treasury. Printed document signed by Jefferson as Secretary of State, verified as a true copy.

GLC01431.01

April 14, 1867

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ellen Caskie

Returns photographs that he has signed. He tells her to never hesitate to ask him for more. He thanks her for keeping his name out of the papers and requests that she "... ask the editors of the Despatch & Inquirer to cease quarelling over my name." He mentions the weakness of his eyes.

GLC01434

circa 1865

Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

Free frank

Title: to Mrs. R. E. Lee

Letter sent in the care of Colonel Hill Carter to his wife at Shirly, near Petersburg, Va. Free franked field cover addressed to Mrs. R. E. Lee

GLC01436

1865-1870 ca.

Boude & Miley, fl. 1865-1870

Photograph signed

Title: [Carte de visite of Robert E. Lee]

Carte de visite bust vignette portrait, signed on front. Lee is posed as a Union lieutenant, with mustache. With presentation on verso to Mrs. Caskie by Mary Custiss Lee ("M.C. Lee"). Reprinted by the Stonewall Gallery circa 1865-1870.

GLC01437

1865 ca.

Lee Gallery, fl. 1865

Photograph signed

Title: [Carte de visite of Robert E. Lee]

Signed on front mount by Lee. Oval bust portrait in uniform as Confederate General. Published by Lee Gallery, Richmond.

GLC01438

1865-1870 ca.

Boude & Miley, fl. 1865-1870

Photograph signed

Title: [Carte de visite of Marty Custis Lee]

Vignette bust portrait signed on mount and inscribed on verso, "For Mrs. E.J. Caskie from her affecte. Mary Custis Lee." With reddened cheeks, lips, and added red flowers in her hand. Reprint by the Stonewall Gallery circa 1865-1870.

GLC01439

October 1870

Lee, Mary Custis, 1808-1873

Header Record

Title: Collection of two documents written by Mary C. Lee [Decimalized .01- .02]

GLC01440

October 2, 1870

Lee, Mary Custis, 1808-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Norvell Caskie

Mary writes of her husband Robert E. Lee's sudden illness. "He has taken very suddenly & alarmingly ill after a day of rather harrassing mental fatigue but is now better & the Dr. gives us good hope he will soon be well again though he is still confined to his bed & indeed lies in our dining room where he was taken sick & we have been unable to move him up stairs..." Mentions that it has been raining for days and that floods have carried away bridges and people's winter supplies. She informs that there is a break on the Central railroad and many people visiting in town have…

GLC01440.01

October 7, 1870

Lee, Mary Custis, 1808-1873

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Norvell Caskie

She updates Caskie on her husband Robert E. Lee's illness. " ... Dr. Madison says that the Genl has neither paralysis or apoplexy but is suffering from tension of the nerves of the head connected with his former illness." She advises that in case Caskie has not heard from "dear Mother," that she is fine and safe from the dangers of the flooding that has occurred in the area. Letter written shortly before Lee's death.

GLC01440.02

10 April 1865

Document signed

Title: [Parole bond for A. S. Jones]

Partly printed document. Parole bond for A. S. Jones, "a Paroled Prisoner of the Army of Northern Virginia, has permission to go to his home, and there remain undisturbed." Signer's name is illegible.

GLC01441

1861-1865 ca.

Caskie Family, fl. 1861-1865

Header Record

Title: Collection of Civil War carte de visite photographs [decimalized]

Mostly post-war reprints and imprints. Various sizes. From the Caskie Family.

GLC01442