Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 70,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World to soldiers’ letters from World War II and Vietnam. Explore primary sources, visit exhibitions in person or online, or bring your class on a field trip.

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1804/01/25

Mountford, Timothy (fl. 1804-1810)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Tobias] Lear re: journal entry arguing absurdity of British/French alliance

Signed: "T.M." Mountford presents extensive arguments against the report "that the French & English have formed an alliance for the reduction of all Barbary," arguing that the two nations are natural enemies, that the French do not need the aid of the British and that the British inherently distrust the French. The alliance is only feasible if "both [nations] suffering from the ravages of war . . .

GLC02794.057

1804/02/17

Mountford, Timothy (fl. 1804-1810)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Tobias Lear re: caring for pigeons

A detailed description of the care necessary for domesticated pigeons by Lear's secretary in Algiers. Docketed on first page.

GLC02794.058

1804/02/17

Mountford, Timothy (fl. 1804-1810)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to The Consul-Genl of the U.S.A. [Tobias Lear] re: Algerian protocol

Mountord, Lear's secretary in Algiers, describes proper treatment of servants required to ensure faithful, competent service. He mentions the necessity of a tough but fair attitude, adherance to titles and keeping social spheres separate. Mountford concludes: "[In Algiers] if every punctillio of etiquet [sic]--is not attended to--you sink, sink--& sink down to a humble Quaker--and the devil himself would find more respect here, than one of that denomination."

GLC02794.059

1804/02/30

Mountford, Timothy (fl. 1804-1810)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Tobias Lear re: description of military situation in Algiers

Mountford writes that "in case of an attack on my own Garrison" he will most likely suffer because the people under his command are "sick," "Nobody," "willing-but-slow" and "Good for nothing." Yet he is cautiously opitmistic: "If I did . . . to groan, tremble & start at everything that snaps -- would only make a bad matter worse." Mountford was Lear's secretary in Algiers. Docketed on address leaf.

GLC02794.060

1805/03/23

Mountford, Timothy (fl. 1804-1810)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Tobias Lear re: attempted murder of Dey, and English/French relations

Mountford describes attempted assassination of the Dey of Algiers by four Turkish soldiers "each armed with two pistols, a Carbine & an atagon . . . . His attendants were at the distance of 60 yards & instantly ran to his assistance, and stoned to death, three of these assassins on the spot . . . . A more miraculous escape never happened." The "King of England, had observed in his last speech to parliament, that negociations for peace were on foot, between his nation & France." Mountford was Lear's secretary in Algiers. Docketed on verso.

GLC02794.065

28 June 1805

Mountford, Timothy (fl. 1804-1810)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Tobias Lear re: assassination and expulsion of Jews from Algiers (pogrom)

An almost hour-by-hour description of the assassination of Napatili Busnach, Jewish Algerian government officer, and the expulsion and massacre of Jews in Algiers by the government. Mountford sends a report of activities in the city. "This morning about 8 O'clock, Napatili Busnach, in the sheet, was shot thro' the Belly, by a Turk Soldier, & died in two hours after. He never spoke after [inserted: he] was shot, altho' he walked to his own house. About 3 P.M. he was buried.

GLC02794.063

[1810 ca.]

Mountford, Timothy (fl. 1804-1810)

Letter

Title: to unknown re: humorous anecdote regarding servants' antics in Algiers

GLC02794.175

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