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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.

Prentiss, Mary Y., fl. 1865 to Abba

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02319 Author/Creator: Prentiss, Mary Y., fl. 1865 Place Written: Washington, District of Columbia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 8 March 1865 Pagination: 4 p. : Height: 20.7 cm, Width: 13.5 cm Order a Copy

Written by a young girl to an unidentified recipient (apparently her sister), intermingling observations with gossip and flirtation. Exclaims enthusiastically about all the fun she is having. States that she attended Lincoln's second inauguration in Washington, D.C., on 4 March 1865, and describes Vice President Andrew Johnson's drunkenness when taking the oath. Comments that, "All the senators are more anxious to have Mr. Lincon [sic] live than they ever were before." Also states that people wanted Lincoln and Hannibal Hamlin, Lincoln's first term vice-president, but not Mrs. Lincoln and Johnson. Gossips about various visitors and attending the inaugural ball with a date. Mentions an institution for colored children that is trying to raise money. Chats at length about male suitors and acquaintances.

Prentiss, Mary Y., fl. 1865
Hamlin, Hannibal, 1809-1891
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865
Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

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