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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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1864

Wilson, Henry, 1812-1875

Book signed

Title: History of the antislavery measures of the thirty-seventh and thirty-eighth United-States congresses, 1861-1864.

Inscribed and signed by Wilson on front flyleaf to Hannibal Hamlin, Vice President of the United States under President Abraham Lincoln. Published by Walker, Wise, and Company. In the preface, Wilson writes, "I have sought, in this volume, to narrate, with brevity, fairness, and impartiality, the history of the antislavery legislation of Congress during the past three years of civil war." Wilson expresses anti-slavery sentiments.

GLC08423

circa 1860

Wilson, Henry, 1812-1875

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Wilson, a Republican Senator from Massachusetts, replies to a previous note sent by an unknown recipient. Provides a list of Republicans who might be interested in anti-Democratic Party ideas, including Maine Governor Israel Washburn, Jr. Reports that he has prepared a speech to be presented in Newark, New Jersey to reveal that the Democratic party "is hostile to the interests of the free White Laboring men." Letter written on Republican Headquarters stationery. The date printed on the stationery is 1860. Washburn went on to serve as governor of Maine (1861-1863). Possibly a personally penned…

GLC00789

1868

Wilson, Henry, 1812-1875

Pamphlet

Title: The republican and democratic parties: what they have done, and what they propose to do

Published by the Union Republican Congressional Committee. Speech given at the Republican Mass meeting at Bangor, Maine on August 27, 1868. Discusses Republican and Democratic parties by comparing their histories, platforms, and candidates. Encourages members of the audience to vote and to hold both parties to the "highest moral standards." Also includes the platform adopted by the National Republican Party Convention in Chicago, 1868.

GLC01265.34

27 July 1872

Wilson, Henry, 1812-1875

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John W. Frughs

Writes shortly after being nominated as Grant's Vice President. "I find your note and the Platform of 'The Young Men's Continental League' ...I have long hoped and believed that the people inhabiting the North American Continent will be united under one Government in one nation. I have faith in our Republican Government, in our free Institutions, in our Christian Civilization, and in our people, and I believe that peace, Law; order and Human brotherhood will be promoted by the unity of the people with their free consent in one nation. Time is needed to bring about this grand result, and I…

GLC09142

14 March 1857

Wilson, Henry, 1812-1875

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Theodore Parker

Senator Wilson thanks Reverend Parker for Parker's recent criticism of Wilson's speech on the topic of slavery and states' rights. Defends himself, stating "I deny the right of any state or nation to hold men in slavery, but I maintain the right of every state or nation to settle that question. I do not believe I have any right by legal action to settle that question for every state in the Union any more that I have to settle it for the people of any other nation..." Believes states' rights must be maintained to preserve United States' citizens status as a free people. Discusses his…

GLC08889