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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.

Madison, James, 1751-1836 to John Brown

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01742.01 Author/Creator: Madison, James, 1751-1836 Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: September 26, 1788 Pagination: 3 p. : address : free frank Height: 24 cm, Width: 20 cm Order a Copy

Madison writes to Brown, then a Kentucky lawyer and later a senator, to promise further communication of his thoughts on making Kentucky a state. Also comments cryptically, because he has no cypher established with Brown, about his sentiments regarding "our confidential conversation just before your departure." Indicates that he has anticipated "every political calamity," probably referring to Spain's efforts to get Kentucky to become an independent state. Includes two resolutions passed by Congress on September 16, 1788 relating to American rights to the Mississippi River.

Madison, James, 1751-1836
Brown, John, 1757-1837

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