Our Collection

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.

to Mrs. Thackmorton

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.21.63 Author/Creator: Place Written: Annapolis, Maryland Type: Autograph note Date: 20 March [no year] Pagination: 1 p. : Height: 9.2 cm, Width: 12.4 cm Order a Copy

Two separate letters with the same GLC number. First one was written by an anonymous member of the U.S. Navy who served with Henry McSherry to a Mrs. Thackmorton. In response to a previous letter from Mrs. Thackmorton, he says she will write a letter to "Mr Welles" -- probably Gideon Welles -- about "Dr McSherry." She thinks there will be no problem getting Henry's resignation withdrawn because "he has been a good and faithful officer throughout the war." The creator says he served with McSherry through the Mississippi Campaign and in the North Atlantic Blockade Squadron. Claims there is no "truth about his being dissipated or irregular in his habits and if the Department chuse to call me I will tell them the same. Mr Welles always listens patiently to everyone and I think he would do full justice to a good officer." Says Henry is "too good an officer to lose." The second letter (1 page, 9.1 x 12.4 cm.) is undated and unsigned, but a note in the file suggests it was written to Henry McSherry. Says that a Mrs. Pendleton thought Henry was in love with one of the Kennedy sisters. It seems the woman got married to someone else, and Mrs. Thackmorton thinks he resigned because "your regret was so great." Says that Mr. Welles said he would be home in a year.

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