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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.

Garfield, James A. (James Abram), 1831-1881 to Isaac Errett

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC08959 Author/Creator: Garfield, James A. (James Abram), 1831-1881 Place Written: Washington, District of Columbia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: February 15, 1866 Pagination: 2 p. : Height: 25 cm, Width: 20 cm Order a Copy

Believes that continued war, and not the recent peace, is the best course of action in regard to the South. "I am more convinced every month, that no truce can be made with the spirit of rebellion, that to fight it to the death is the only way to conquer it or even to secure its respect. Rebels never respected us so much as in battle & never despise us so much as when we attempt to conciliate." Offers to contribute an article to the Chirstian Standard. Both men helped found this newspaper, which was attached to the missionary religious order the Desciples of Christ, and Errett was its publisher. Letter addressed to Bro. Emett. Mounted on paper 27 x 22 cm.

Garfield, James A. (James Abram), 1831-1881
Errett, Isaac, 1820-1888

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