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.

Livingston, Robert, 1708-1790 to James Duane

Order a pdf of this item here.

A high-resolution version of this object is available for registered users. LOG IN

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07109 Author/Creator: Livingston, Robert, 1708-1790 Place Written: Livingston Manor, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1788/02/13 Pagination: 1 p. ; 19.3 x 31.1 cm. Order a Copy

Comments on a visit by Major North, who he describes as "a Genteel young man." Notes an unconfirmed report that Massachusetts ratified the Constitution and hopes it will compel other states to do the same. Criticizes Robert R. Livingston for his role in attempting to evict mills from Livingston's (known as the third Lord of the Manor) property. Calls him "mill mad." Duane was serving as mayor of New York and was married to Livingston's daughter Mary (mentioned in this letter as Polle).

Livingston, Robert, 1708-1790
Livingston, Robert R., 1746-1813
Duane, James, 1733-1797

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources