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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.

Smith, Israel, 1763-1821 to Jedediah Smith

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04601.01 Author/Creator: Smith, Israel, 1763-1821 Place Written: Natchez, Mississippi Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 22 April 1799 Pagination: 3 p. : address ; Height: 31 cm, Width: 19 cm Order a Copy

Writes to his brother in Boston that he was overjoyed to receive his letter as he never expected to hear from him since it has been 24 years. Gives information on how they can get letters back and forth to each other. Informs that he has a wife and three daughters. Discusses the Mississippi territory where he lives favorably and says he will not return to the cold of New England as it is easier to make a living here. Describes the fertile land and the crops that can be grown. Gives love to his family.

Smith, Israel, 1763-1821
Smith, Jedediah, 1752-1816

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