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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.

Blair, James, 1819-? to Elizabeth Blair

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03209.27.03 Author/Creator: Blair, James, 1819-? Place Written: Callao, Peru Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 3 July 1839 Pagination: 4 p. ; 20.5 x 16.4 cm. Order a Copy

Writes to his sister from the United States Ship Peacock. States that Captain William L. Hudson of the Peacock supported him in an affaire d'honour. Informs Elizabeth that women he met at a Ball in Valparaiso, Chile perceive Americans as "the people who struck the first blow for Liberty in the New World." States that Captain Charles Wilkes, leader of the Peacock and other vessels on the expedition, wrote for his warrant. Requests Elizabeth to give his love to family and friends in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Norfolk, Virginia.

Lee, Elizabeth Blair, 1818-1906
Blair, James, 1819-?
Blair, Francis Preston, 1791-1876

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