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.

Montgomery, John Berrien, 1794-1872 to Edward R. Archer

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01896.034 Author/Creator: Montgomery, John Berrien, 1794-1872 Place Written: Bay of Panama Type: Letter signed Date: 1860/04/28 Pagination: 1 p. : docket Height: 26 cm, Width: 20 cm Order a Copy

Response to Archer's request for a letter of recommendation needed to present to the Board of Examing Engineers for promotions. According to an Act of Congress, a letter of recommendation is needed from the ship's commander that the assistant engineer served on when going before the board. However, such a letter was not possible due to the sudden detachment from the U.S.S. Frigate "Roanoke" at Boston which Archer had served on under Montgomery's command until that time. "...[I]t gives me now, great pleasure in assuring you of my entire approval of your whole conduct as an officer and a gentleman..." Montgomery was noted for commanding the "Portsmouth" during the Mexican-American War and for raising the flag over Yerba Buena (San Francisco) on July 9th, 1846. He later commanded the Pacific Squadron and was promoted to rear admiral.

Archer, Edward Richard, 1834-1918
Montgomery, J.B., fl. 1857-1860

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources