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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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1847/03/22

Archer, Robert, fl. 1842-1875

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Maxwell

Response to previous letter regarding the Virginia Historical & Philosophical Society, providing a description and historical account of Fort George, on Old Point Comfort, Va. The fort was first ordered built in 1629-30 by Sir John Henry, Govenor of Virginia. "The work was called Fort George. The front lines only and part of the flanks are now tracable. The rear lines having been obliterated by the excavation of the ditch of Fort Monroe."

GLC01896.014

1856/05/20

Dobbin, James Cochran, 1814-1857

Document signed

Title: [Request for examination by the board of Naval Engineers]

Requests that Archer report to Daniel B. Martin, Esq., Chief Engineer, to be examined by the Board of Engineers. The form is to be given to the care of J.R. Anderson, Esqr., Tredegar Iron Works, Richmond, Va. Document co-signed by Daniel B. Martin on 1856/06/02 when Archer reported, and again on 1856/06/20 when Martin signed for Archer's discharge. Dobbin was secretary of the Navy (1853-1857) under Franklin Pierce.

GLC01896.016

1857/04/07

Toucey, Isaac, 1796-1869

Document signed

Title: [Navy Department orders to report for duty]

Orders to proceed to Norfolk, Va. and report to Captain Dornin for duty onboard the U.S. Steam Frigate Roanoke. Co-signed by Thomas A. Dornin on 1857/04/17 and by J.B. Montgomery [?] on 1857/05/04, certifying that Archer reported for duty.

GLC01896.019

1857/08/29

Toucey, Isaac, 1796-1869

Document signed

Title: to Edward R. Archer

Grants Archer a one week extension for a leave of absence.

GLC01896.020

1857/09/17

Toucey, Isaac, 1796-1869

Document signed

Title: [Navy Department orders to report for duty]

Orders to report for duty to the USFS Powhatan. Co-signed by Thomas A. Dornin on 1857/09/24, certifying that Archer reported for duty.

GLC01896.021

1857/09/18

Dayton, A.O., fl. 1857

Manuscript signed

Title: to Edward R. Archer

Advises Archer to contact "the purser on whose books [his] name is borne" regarding any funds deposited with him. Also states that the U.S. Steam Frigate "Roanoke's" purser has not yet transferred Archer's account.

GLC01896.022

1836/03/15

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Discusses disagreements in Congress over his positions at a time when, in his capacity as congressman, he was opposing patronage policies and the proposed "Gag Rule." Comments that "It was unfortunate for Mr. [Daniel] Webster that in the position he occupied on the 3d of March 1835 he hurried the Senate of the United States into a desperate quarrel with the House...upon principles so utterly untenable, and so unpatriotic, that they are sinking him and the Senate, under an unparalleled load of public odium." Although Webster and his followers are trying to take him down, Adams reports…

GLC06313.01

1858/10/06

Document

Title: to Edward R. Archer, Esqr.

Envelope is addressed to "E.R. Archer, 3rd Assit. Engineer, U.S.S. Steam Ship Powhatan, Hong Kong, China. / Care of [illegible] Speiden, Naval Store [illegible] / Answered Jan'y 14th/[18]59." Reverse: "Written 6th Octr. / Rcd. 29th December/[18]58 / Whampon, China." Multiple postmarks and stamps, the earliest postmark being 1858/10/06 and the latest 1858/12/25.

GLC01896.026

1859/07/26

Archer, Edward R., fl. 1830-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Anne Jeffery]

Death of Mary Williamson and her expensive funeral, request for Ann to serve on the administration needed in order to sell Williamson's property, and his inability to visit Ann. Letter is written on stationary with a printed letterhead reading: "Office of Tredegar Iron Works."

GLC01896.028

1859/08/10-1860/10/05

Manuscript

Title: [Receipt for account settlements]

"To fee for settlement of your account." List of 9 separate accounts including: names of account holders, amount paid in dollars, and the date at which the amount was paid.

GLC01896.029

February 19, 1855

Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert G. White

Discusses local Pennsylvania politics and an election he hopes to win. Details the tactics of his enemies, and his plan to defeat them.

GLC05891.04

February 9, 1864

Berger, Anthony, fl. 1864

Photograph

Title: [Abraham Lincoln, carte de visite, bust view]

White mount. Oval photo of engraving showing bust view. Lincoln's image on the five dollar bill is derived from this portrait. Related to image #13. [O-92 variant].

GLC05136.12

February 9, 1864

Berger, Anthony, fl. 1864

Photograph

Title: [Abraham Lincoln, carte de visite, half length seated view]

White mount. Half length seated view. Lincoln's image on the five dollar bill is derived from this portrait. Related to image #12. [O-92 variant].

GLC05136.13

1890 ca.

Photograph

Title: Albumen print of McKinney.

Albumen print of McKinney in uniform.

GLC02179.01.045

February 18, 1862

McKinney, Erastus R., fl. 1851-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to father

re: devastating battle at Fort Donelson, which McKinney missed, but was later assigned to helping the wounded and collecting the dead Written at Fort Donelson

GLC02179.01.025

February 9, 1864

Berger, Anthony, fl. 1864

Photograph

Title: [Abraham Lincoln, carte de visite, view of head only]

White mount with gold border. View of head only. Photo of engraving. [O-91 variant].

GLC05136.11

February 19, 1839

Anderson, Robert, fl. 1839

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hugh Brady

says that at present things are quiet between the two nations

GLC08104.005

February 19, 1839

Anderson, Robert, fl. 1839

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Hugh Brady

talks about news of a robbery

GLC08104.006

1850 ca.

Brady, Mathew B., 1823-1896

Photograph

Title: Daniel F. Tiemann

Modern print of carte de visite by Brady-NY, tucked into slits on mount, with note of F.H. Meserve. Inscribed on mount: "Daniel F. Tiemann, mayor of New York. From a negative of M.B. Brady. The Collection of F.H. Meserve."

GLC05188.03