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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.

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897 to Eliza Cook

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02570.66 Author/Creator: Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897 Place Written: Beaufort, South Carolina Type: Autograph letter signed Date: January 12, 1865 Pagination: 11 p. ; Order a Copy

Tells Eliza that he wrote her four days ago and "sent the letter off by a very uncertain carrier but hope you will get it. I now regret not having retained it until the present as I have a most excellent opportunity to transmit letters." A friend from home has come to visit and Cook is glad to be able to give himself "up again to the aspirations of partial friends and becoming immersed in ambitious dreams of fame and power, that I sometimes tremble at the thought of a return of peace and opportunity for temptation." Relays a dream he has about their reuniting. Hopes to secure 1000 acres "out west" from Colvit Herndon. Wants to move far away from society, civilization, publicity and ambition. Compliments Ida's letter and encourages her to write longer letters. Would like to see some scribbles from Nettie on Eliza's letters.

Cooke, Gustave, fl. 1861-1865

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