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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.

Washington, George, 1732-1799 to William C.C. Claiborne

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04877 Author/Creator: Washington, George, 1732-1799 Place Written: Mount Vernon, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 30 May 1797 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket : free frank Height: 22.8 cm, Width: 18.6 cm Order a Copy

Thanks him for his "favourable sentiments," noting that "If all our Citizens were actuated by the principles you profess, it would much promote the happiness and prosperity of our Country." In regard to some papers Claiborne requested, Washington claims that he is determined not to interfere "directly or indirectly - in recommendations to Office." Closes by stating that it was "very pleasing to me to learn from such good authority that the people of the state of Tennessee are well affected to the General Government & that your prospect of peace with the Indians is not likely to be seriously interrupted."

Washington, George, 1732-1799
Claiborne, William Charles Cole, 1775-1817

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