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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.

Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790 to Richard Bache

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00154.05 Author/Creator: Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790 Place Written: London, England Type: Autograph letter signed Date: August 13, 1768 Pagination: 2 p. : Height: 23 cm, Width: 19 cm Order a Copy

Writes to his son-in-law regarding his inability to succeed in business and blames Bache for causing the future unhappiness and distress of his daughter. Harshly reprimands Bache for his lack of ambition. Says he does not reply often because he has nothing kind to say, but that, now, time has allowed Franklin to calm himself. Hopes that Bache's new business venture is better that its precedents. Adds that if he proves "a good husband and son, you will find in me an affectionate father." Postscript regarding new watch and buckles for Sally.

Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
Bache, Richard, 1737-1811
Bache, Sarah Franklin, 1743-1808

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