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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.

Ellery, William, 1727-1820 to George G. Channing

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00108.05 Author/Creator: Ellery, William, 1727-1820 Place Written: Newport, Rhode Island Type: Autograph letter signed Date: December 5, 1812 Pagination: 3 p. : address ; Height: 21 cm, Width: 17 cm Order a Copy

In the letter, William Ellery writes to his grandson that he is happy Channing has gained a business partner and inquires as to who drew up the legal documents executing the partnership. He believes theological differences in the world will persist, and that everyone would get along if they treated each other morally. He comments that a religious war would be much worse than the War of 1812. He discusses a preacher and his success with parishioners. He comments on the Channing family moving from Newport, Rhode Island, to Boston. He sends his love to all the members of the family.

Ellery, William, 1727-1820
Channing, George Gibbs, 1789-1881

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