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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.

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869 Pardon of Lucy Wheeler, "a negress," convicted of two counts of aggravated assault.

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00173.05 Author/Creator: Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869 Place Written: Washington, District of Columbia Type: Document signed Date: 17 November 1854 Pagination: 2 p. : Height: 42 cm, Width: 27 cm Order a Copy

Wheeler, convicted of two counts of aggravated assault: sentenced in one case to 1 year imprisonment, and to pay a $0.50 fine and court costs; sentenced in the other to 6 months imprisonment [to be served following the first term], and to pay another $0.50 fine and court costs. Pardoned after serving out her first prison term and paying $0.50 fine. (c/s William L. Marcy)

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