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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.

Paca, William, 1740-1799 to Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05982 Author/Creator: Paca, William, 1740-1799 Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 18 June 1776 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket : free frank Height: 33.5 cm, Width: 21.4 cm Order a Copy

States that Mr. Aspden, a merchant in Philadelphia, is now in Annapolis and is soliciting passage home with the British Governor of Maryland, Robert Eden. Asks that the Council of Safety promote his passage if possible. Postscript remarks upon his determination to form an independent government, "Government must be affirmed - instructions must be withdrawn - Powers must be given to your delegates to make foreign alliances - I speak seriously. I expect to be down in time." Letter damaged at center with losses affecting text.

Paca, William, 1740-1799
Jenifer, Daniel of St. Thomas, 1723-1790
Eden, Robert, Sir, 1741-1784

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