Our Collection

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.

Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865) to George H. Penfield

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

A high-resolution version of this object is available for registered users. LOG IN

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00183 Author/Creator: Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 15 August 1861 Pagination: 1 p. : blank ; 25 x 20 cm Order a Copy

Directs Penfield to supply ordnance and cavalry arms by contract to P. B. Fowke's regiment. Penfield had an existing contract to supply the government with ordnance.

Notes: Not in Basler, but Penfield is mentioned V: 172n (October 11) as an arms supplier whose contract had been cancelled by Stanton.

Washington, D.C. Aug. 15. 1861
George H. Penfield, Esq
My dear Sir
I understand you are furnishing the U.S. Government, by contract, with Ordnance, and Cavalry Arms. If you will, by contract with Hon. P. B. Fowke, furnish him two battery of Ordnance, and arms for one Cavalry Regiment, such as he chooses to contract for, of the same quality the Government purchases of you, and shall not let it interfere with the performance of your existing contract with the Government, you will be paid for the same by the Government, the same price it is now paying you for similar articles.
A. Lincoln

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865
Penfield, George H., fl. 1861

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources