Search | Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

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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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1853/03/14

Scales, James H., fl. 1853

Autograph note signed

Title: to Mr. Parkes re: furious bidding at slave auction

"Negroes are selling as wind here today, people are seemingly crazy."

GLC07414

1844/02/18

Anthony, Charles, fl. 1844

Autograph note signed

Title: to Albert Whitton re: murder of slave by overseer

"Your having shot my Negro man, Willett, I hereby dismiss you from my business as overseer." Written on a quarter sheet of paper.

GLC07415

1781/01/19

Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown re: mission in Philadelphia and need for money

"You must naturally conclude that in taking up this business in its present situation, supplies of money will be necessary." Probably written to Robert Morris.

GLC07420

1923/12/22

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930

Typed letter signed

Title: to Gertrude Ely

Notes that he shares Ely's "impatience and amusement" with the Molly Pitcher Club. Discusses attempts to alter the Volstead law and his personal opposition to prohibition. But because of his belief in popular government he must respect the law. After Taft's signature he writes by hand: "We were delighted with your visit. Come after and shake up our dry bones." Some hand written, law related notes appear on the verso of the second page. Written on stationary of the Supreme Court.

GLC07319

1813/12/20

Robertson, Thomas B., 1779-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Fulwar Skipwith

Discusses the Spanish threat and the disastrous northern campaign in the War of 1812. Also comments on generals James Wilkinson and Wade Hampton in the aftermath of their failed attempt to attack Montreal. Notes that congress has approved an export embargo (passed 9 December 1813) and speculates on its potential effects. Robertson was a Louisiana congressman. Skipwith was the governor of the province of West Florida.

GLC07341

February 7, 1861

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edwin Coates

Ellsworth, famous for raising the New York Zouaves, writes to his friend Captain Coates. Declares "the time has come which will test our brotherhood...- Some of those malicious fiends in human shape who hate me so venomously have learned of my bright prospects from some indiscreet friend and have set on fort a movement to frustrate me which if it succeeds will be my ruin." Instructs Coates to call a meeting, and to present resolutions (pre-drafted by Ellsworth). Lists the persons who are to be present at the meeting, including Colonel Joseph Tucker Taylor, Philip Wadsworth, and George W.…

GLC07343

1864 ca.

Gardner, Alexander, 1821-1882

Photograph signed

Title: Self-portrait of Alexander Gardner

Carte de visite portrait, full-length seated self-portrait. Imprint on verso.

GLC07348

1815/06/24

Thornton, William, 1759-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Thornton

Discusses British General Thornton's valor and wounds received at the Battle of Bladensburg and the Battle of New Orleans. Also critically discusses European politics and war, and assesses Napoleon at length. Notes that Thornton's capture and burning of Washington, D.C., may have saved the capital, since "Great exertions were repeatedly made in different years to remove the seat of government" but now Congress was determined to repair the damage. The author, also named William Thornton, had served as the architect of the United States capitol building, which General Thornton burned, until…

GLC07367

1835/03/16

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Document

Title: To the Cherokee Tribe of Indians East of the Mississippi [circular] [removal]

Printed circular letter. "I have no motive, my friends, to deceive you...circumstances that cannot be controlled, and which are beyond the reach of human laws, render it impossible that you can flourish in the midst of a civilized community. You have but one remedy within your reach. And that is, to remove in the West..."

GLC07377

1818/06/02

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Letter signed

Title: to John C. Calhoun

The war against the Seminole Indians. "I have deemed it advisable to call into service... two companies of rangers ...with instructions to scour the country... exterminating every hostile party who dare... not surrender & remove their families above the 31 of latitude. The Seminole war may now be considered as at a close. Tranquility again (has been) restored to the southern frontier... the immutable principles therefore of self defence justified the occupancy of the Floridas & the same principles will warrant the American Government in holding it until such time as Spain can…

GLC07378

1735/05/19

Zenger, John P., 1697-1746

Newspaper

Title: New-York weekly journal. [Vol. 933, no. 80 (May 19, 1735)]

Argues for the education of "women of quality." States several reasons why education should be more available to women: a woman's domestic lifestyle is better suited learning than a man's lifestyle and women's natural gift of speech can be put to better use in education than in bitter gossip. Also includes a section on foreign affairs with news from Warsaw, the Hague, and London. Section on local New York news and entries and departures from the New York Customs House. An advertisement section includes an announcement for the sale of a young woman slave by the name of Mary Kippin.

GLC07336

1778/06/07 ca.

Jones, Thomas, fl. 1777-1782

Manuscript document signed

Title: Return of provisions and stores (Valley Forge)

"Return of provisions and stores issued to the army in camp from the 1st till 7 June 1778.." Prepared by Thomas Jones.

GLC07342

1900/11/10

Mosby, John S., 1833-1916

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sam Houston re: information to be used in biography of Gov. John Letcher

Written in blue ink. (Water damage.)

GLC07346

1866/03/31

Buchanan, James, 1791-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Moses Kelley] re: receiving payment on VA bonds bought prior to the War

GLC07353

1783/07/17

Laurens, Henry, 1724-1792

Letter signed

Title: to Robert R. Livingston re: receiving a request from Doctor Benjamin Franklin

Asks him to come to Paris to help finalize Treaty of Paris. (Mat burn at edges; possibly bleached.)

GLC07357

1816/08/06

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Letter signed

Title: to William H. Crawford

Writes to Secretary of War Crawford to transmit Captain John Allen's muster roll (not included) of volunteers who helped protect Chickasaw Indian land from "Intruders," referring to white settlers.

GLC07374

1817/08/19

Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845

Letter signed

Title: to George Graham

"[T]his will ensure the removal of 19/20 of the whole Cherokee Nation." Docketed.

GLC07375

1789/07/07

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document

Title: Extract from a report of the Secretary of War to the President of the United States

Relays some observations "resulting from a general view of the Indian Department...with the hope that some of them might be considered as proper principles to be interwoven in a general System for the government of Indian Affairs." Discusses Indian land rights and boundary disputes, advocating for Indians to "possess the right of soil of all lands within their limits." Also discusses Indian sovereignty, western expansion, assimilation, gift-giving, missionary work, and managing United States-Indian relations.

GLC07379