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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.

Lyon, Nathaniel, 1818-1861 to Dr. George Work

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09138 Author/Creator: Lyon, Nathaniel, 1818-1861 Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 9 October 1859 Pagination: 3 p. : engraving Order a Copy

Abolitionist and future Union Brigadier General writes of tension in "Bleeding Kansas." "I was stationed here about a year ago, after leaving California. I have marched about 450 miles in reaching here...we were ordered...to protect the emigrants...the old slavery issue, which did so much mischief, and embittered all the relations of society, seems to be dead, and the free state policy firmly established. The new Wyandotte constitution is doubtless adopted and most likely Kansas will be admitted under it. We have no apprehensions of war on account of [commanding Gen. William S.] Harney's eccentricities, in regard to the San Juan Island...We have more trouble now, with our Indians out here, as they are attacking our mail parties on the road to New Mexico, and one Company is to go from here in a day or two to the stations about 200 miles off, as protection to the mail and carriers..." With engraving of Lyon.

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