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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.

Dick, Franklin Archibald, 1823-1885 to Charles Drake

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04274 Author/Creator: Dick, Franklin Archibald, 1823-1885 Place Written: St. Louis, Missouri Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 12 June 1863 Pagination: Order a Copy

Written as provost marshal of St. Louis. Replies to Drake's request for information concerning the Missouri congressional laws about emancipating slaves in compliance with the Emancipation Proclamation. Details General Orders no. 35, which instructed the provost marshals "to take testimony as to the acts of disloyal slave owners," and ascertain the facts. Explains that there is great opposition to the enforcement of the law. "...for the spirit of resistance to it amongst the Enrolled Militia, has left those officers nearly powerless in the absence of U.S. troops, and they being the first men who have attempted to execute a law of Congress in this State against slavery, have met with the combined opposition of all supporters of that institution." Includes his four page testimony proclaiming that slavery should be immediately abandoned in Missouri and giving a list of reasons why, including, "...for it is the Enemy of Every other interest in the state..." Pages vary in size; some with embossment at far left.

Drake, Charles D. (Charles Daniel), 1811-1892
Dick, Franklin Archibald, 1823-1885

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