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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.

Semmes, Raphael, 1809-1877 to Captain Davies

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03867.02 Author/Creator: Semmes, Raphael, 1809-1877 Place Written: London, England Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 14 July 1864 Pagination: 1 p. : Height: 18.4 cm, Width: 12.6 cm Order a Copy

Tells Captain Davies he will be unable to visit Cambridge for "some weeks," even though he would like to go. Says he will visit him if he finds the time to make it to Cambridge. Also thanks Mrs. Davies for the invitation. Semmes was writing from the "Parsonage, Belsize Park, London, N.W.," which was the home of the Rev. Francis W. Tremlett where he was staying. The parsonage was known locally as the "Rebel's Roost," from the number of Confederate naval officers, agents, and diplomats who visited. Semmes was not able to make it to Cambridge because he was about to embark on a six-week tour of the Continent with Tremlett and other friends. File also has a page torn out of what appears to be a scrapbook. Contains 2 newspaper clippings. One (13.2 x 6.5 cm.) titled "The Destruction of the Alabama" and another clipping (7.9 x 6.3 cm.) on the "Death of Rear-Admiral John A. Winslow."

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