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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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18 October 1854

Custis, George Washington Parke, 1781-1857

Autograph letter signed

Title: to W. B. Todd

Custis, the adopted son (and step-grandson) of George Washington, writes to Todd in Washington, D.C. Recently read a letter stating, "from a prohibitory Law in the District of Columbia touching the hiring of Negro Slaves from Virginia in the District, there was much probability of said Negroes so hired recovering their freedom." Writes, "I have no desire that any of my Negroes should be getting their freedom otherwise than by my giving it to them. I regret these circumstances as the girl Amanda is hired to you much to my satisfaction, & I have no wish to take her from so good a…

GLC04989

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