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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.

Porter, David, 1780-1843 to R. Smith

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02734 Author/Creator: Porter, David, 1780-1843 Place Written: Vera Cruz, Mexico Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 2 December 1826 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket ; 32.5 x 21.5 cm. + 1 engraving ; b&w ; 25.4 x 17.4 cm Order a Copy

Writing to a banker in Washington, D.C., arranges for his wife's finances after his defection to Mexico. Sends along with his letter eight hundred dollars, four hundred of which is to be given to his wife, the rest to be put in his bank account. Adds, "I hope my writing will have no cause to be ashamed of my conduct on any occasion." One full length seated engraving of David Porter included.

Porter, David, 1780-1843

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