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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.

Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814 to James T. Austin

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00137 Author/Creator: Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814 Place Written: Washington, District of Columbia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: June 23, 1813 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket : free frank ; 32 x 19 cm. + 1 engraving ; b&w ; 18.1 x 16.3 cm Order a Copy

Comments on the loss of a ship, the Chesapeake. Also notes the slow progress of the Ways and Means Committee, the resignation of General Henry Dearborn for health reasons, and the recovery of President James Madison from an illness. Discusses witnessing a demonstration of "liquid fire, inextinguishable for a period, by water" by a "Mr Lloyd of Adams in Pennsylva" and the products potential for weaponry. Gerry was then vice president. Written from the chamber of the senate. One engraving of "Elmood", once the residence of Elbridge Gerry, included as collateral.

Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814
Austin, James Trecothick, 1784-1870
Dearborn, Henry, 1751-1829
Madison, James, 1751-1836

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