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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.

Hamilton, Paul, 1762-1816 to John Rodgers

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00758 Author/Creator: Hamilton, Paul, 1762-1816 Place Written: Washington, District of Columbia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: June 18, 1812 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket : free frank Height: 24 cm, Width: 20 cm Order a Copy

The Secretary of the Navy informs Commodore Rodgers that war has been declared against Great Britain, officially starting the War of 1812. Indicates that Rodgers is entitled to use his four vessels for attack and defense. Asks him to await further instructions from New York, but permits him to attack British cruisers near Sandy Hook, if the opportunity arises, after which he should return to port. Instructs him to relay these orders to Commodore Stephen Decatur.

Hamilton, Paul, 1762-1816
Rodgers, John, 1773-1838
Decatur, Stephen, 1779-1820

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