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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.

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865 to Edwin L. Baker

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00622 Author/Creator: Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865 Place Written: Washington, District of Columbia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: March 31, 1862 Pagination: 1 p. : envelope : free frank Height: 21 cm, Width: 13 cm Order a Copy

Acknowledges receipt of his note delivered by Edwin's brother John. Refuses to let "Joe" [Joseph Baker] transfer to a higher position within the army and resign his present post because of the precedent it might set among the servicemen. "The objection is the setting of examples by which every body in all arms of the service, are set to studying whether they can not squirm round into a position more satisfactory to themselves. A rule, to cut off this, is a necessity." Written on Executive Mansion stationery. The envelope is free franked in Lincoln's hand.

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865
Baker, Edwin L., fl. 1862
Baker, Joseph F., fl. 1862
Baker, John F., fl. 1862

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