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.

Art, Music, Theater, and Film

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10 February 1794

Jackson, Henry (1747-1809)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References Knox's letters of 29 January and 1 February. Claims his last letters have lacked detail becuase he has been working on the accounts of the theatre. Says that Nathan Dane is heading the committee on taxes. Says he has gone with Joseph Peirce every day to talk to him, but Senate business has kept Dane busy. Reports that Mrs. Goldthwait died last Friday.

GLC02437.06042

1794/02/23

Lear, Tobias (1762-1816)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Buchan, the Earl of Erskine re: a portrait of President George Washington by Trumbull and American neutrality.

Buchan, the Earl of Erskine, an English liberal in Edinburgh, Scotland, writes: "I am much pleased to find that the Portrait of our great good Washington meets your Lordship's approbation [. . . .] There is now with Mr. [Benjamin] West in London (lately sent over) a full length painting of the Rendering by Trumbull, which is perhaps the best ever taken of him-- and an engraving is to be made from it." "I find a pretty general apprehension occasion in this Country by the military preparations making in the U.S.

GLC02794.036

13 March 1794

Jackson, Henry (1747-1809)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Requests Knox to deliver the enclosed (a letter?) to the French Minister, Mr. Fauchet. Asks Knox to speak highly of him when he speaks with Mr. Fauchet or Mr. [LaForet], believes it will give him additional strength to his situation. Reports he and Knox received a discount from the bank on some notes for 60 days. Comments on the high praise the Preceptor gave Henry (most likely Knox's son, Henry Jackson Knox) and of Henry's part in the next exhibition. Describes the new satin and silk clothes he sent Henry as extravagant, but says Henry is a good boy and deserves happiness.

GLC02437.06061

31 March 1794

Jackson, Henry (1747-1809)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses attending a public exhibition at the Highland Academy where Knox's son, Henry Jackson Knox, will be performing. Also mentions he will be taking Henry Jackson Knox to dance lessons like Knox requested. Believes the cost of Knox's house will be between $8000 and $10,000 and Knox's family will never reside there for more than one season. "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.06070

13 April 1794

Jackson, Henry (1747-1809)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports Mr. Robinson, Mr. [Ebenezer] Dunton, Mr. [Henry] Simpson, and several laborers have set sail for St. George's [House]. Informs Knox he sent Mr. [Thomas] Vose a new ox cart and Mr. Vose expects the workmen to keep two teams in constant employ. Provides information on salaries paid for the construction of Knox's house. Also, mentions invoices totaling $400 for materials. Warns Knox his house will cost twice the amount of what he expects. Relays a story about the construction of a theater costing twice the estimated amount.

GLC02437.06078

20 May 1794

Barr & Co. (fl. 1794)

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Receipt]

Receipt for a grand piano Henry Knox bought from Barr & Co.

GLC02437.08673

circa 1795

Ceracchi, Giuseppe (1751-1801)

Printed document

Title: [Proposal for a monument]

"A DESCRIPTION OF A MONUMENT DESIGNED TO PERPETUATE THE MEMORY OF AMERICAN LIBERTY." A portion of it states, "THE GODDESS is represented descending in a car drawn by four horses, darting through a volume of clouds, which conceals the summit of a rainbow. - Her form is at once expressive of dignity and grace, -In her right hand she brandishes a flaming dart, which, by dispelling the mists of Error, illuminate the universe; her left is extended in the attitude of calling upon the people of America to listen to her voice.

GLC02437.10610

24 April 1795

Wellmore, E.

Engraving Signed

Title: Thomas Mifflin

Portrait engraving of Thomas Mifflin, shown from the waist up in formal military dress. Text beneath the image reads "Engraved by E. Wellmore from a painting by G. Smart in possesion of G. M. Dallas Esq'r." Includes Thomas Mifflin's signature beneath the title.

GLC04842.31.02

2 April 1796

Boudinot, Elias (1740-1821)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Bayard

Boudinot, director of the United States Mint, transmits Bills of Exchange (not included) to London to pay Bayard for copper imported to the United States. Reports that President George Washington refused to submit papers regarding negotiations with Great Britain to the House of Representatives (possibly referring to John Jay's Treaty). Refers to a recent speech praising Washington delivered by a Mr. Erskin (possibly Thomas Erskine) in London. Forwards a portrait of Washington (not included) for Erskin. Discusses family matters at length.

GLC03627

18 May 1796

Hodgdon, Samuel (1745-1824)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses a furniture sale held for Knox and relates that Hodgdon is putting up his harpsichord for sale as well. Adds that Miss Knox's forte piano is safely on its way to Knox. Mentions sale results and transportation of merchandise.

GLC02437.06744

February 1798

Clemens, Johan Frederik (1748-1831)

Print

Title: Death of General Montgomery

Engraved by Danish engraver J.F. Clemens, based on a painting by John Trumbull completed in 1786. Published by A.C. de Poggi at 91 New Bond Street, London. Depicts the death of General Richard Montgomery during the assault on Quebec on 31 December 1775. Montgomery showed real promise as an officer when he took command of General Philip Schuyler's army after Schuyler was evacuated because of illness. He led troops that captured St. John and Montreal and afterward he converged on Quebec with General Benedict Arnold and met his fate. Aaron Burr is depicted holding Montgomery.

GLC06580

February 1798

Trumbull, John (1756-1843)

Print

Title: The Battle of Bunker's Hill

After the painting of John Trumbull. Engraving by Johann Gottfried von Muller. Published by A.C. de Poggi, in London.

GLC06579

2 April 1798

Unknown

Document signed

Title: [Receipt]

Partially printed document with subsequent information filled in by hand. Receipt of Henry Knox for $200 for repairs of the Boston Theatre. Signed by E. [Sigonmey ?].

GLC02437.08731

4 May 1798

Lucas, John (fl. 1798)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox to send his picture of Elisha Brown and his heroic revolutionary story to John Adams to be installed in the Museum of the United States.

GLC02437.07124

15 June 1798

Trumbull, John (1756-1843)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

John Trumbull, the noted painter and former secretary to Washington, writes in detail, to Knox about new developments in artillery that might prove helpful in the impending war against France. Noted as written at 72 Welbeck Street in London, England.

GLC02437.07148

17 March 1799

Smith, William Stephens (1755-1816)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Smith tells Knox that Smith has "consented once more to, enter into the tented field." Smith reminds Knox of a book he gave Knox of portraits of European soldiers. Smith asks that Knox give it "to the President." (Smith is President John Adams's son-in-law.)

GLC02437.07245

circa 1800

Savage, Edward (1761-1817)

Print

Title: Benjamin Franklin L.L.D. - F.R.S.

Mezzotint based on David Martin's late 18th-century portrait. At the bottom corners of the print, Martin is credited with the original painting and Edward Savage with the engraving of this mezzotint. Title is in cursive across the bottom of the sheet, whereas the original portrait has a printed title. Franklin is reading at a small table with his hand at his throat. To his right, perched atop a pile of books, is a bust of Isaac Newton.

GLC04952

1 October 1800

Copley, John Singleton (1738-1815)

Print

Title: The Honble Saml Barrington

An engraving of Samuel Barrington, famed British Admiral.

GLC02542.32.19

1801 ca.

Unknown

Object

Title: [Jefferson Indian Peace medal]

Based on Houdon's bust of Jefferson. Copies of this medal were given by Lewis and Clark to Indians they met on their expedition. See Alfred L. Bush, Life Portraits of Thomas Jefferson, p. 13; Noble E. Cunningham, Jr., The Image of Thomas Jefferson in the Public Eye, pp. 73-78.

GLC01984.03

1802

Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826)

Pamphlet

Title: Speech of...on his inauguration...[with his response to New Haven remonstrance]

Title: "Speech of...on his inauguration as President of the United States. Together with his reply to the celebrated New-Haven Remonstrance, and his message to both houses of Congress, of December 8, 1801, &c" Printed by John Barber. (Purchased for TJ's response to the New Haven remonstrance concerning his dismissal of office holders.) With crude wood-cut of Jefferson based on Edward Savage facing the titlepage. Not mentioned in Cunningham's study of Jefferson portraits. Not listed in Shaw & Shoemaker. Not in Sabin.

GLC05481

1803

Murray, John, Jr. (fl. 1803)

Pamphlet

Title: [To the Citizens of the United States of America].

Agreed upon at a meeting of Quakers on March 1, 1803 in New York City and issued by the clerk to the meeting, John Murray, Jr. The pamphlet attacks alcohol consumption, taverns, theatres, horse racing, cockfighting, and duels. Printed by Isaac Collins and Son.

GLC05943

circa 1804

Unknown

Printed document

Title: Prospectus of an historical and allegorical picture, entitled the Siege of York

Title continues: "or, the British surrendering their arms to General Washington after their defeat at York-Town, in Virginia, in the month of October, 1781." States that John Francis Renault is the creator of the work. Contains a description of the picture, noting that each subscriber pays twelve dollars for an engraving of Renault's work. Attests to Renault's patent of the picture. Printed at the Emerald Press. Docketed by Knox, who notes he paid five dollars and will pay the remainder "when finished."

GLC02437.10361

21 July 1804

David Newhall (1803-1809)

Newspaper

Title: Political observatory. [Vol. 1 no. 36 (July 21, 1804)]

Front page prints acts approved by President Thomas Jefferson, also endorsed by Speaker of the House of Representatives Nathaniel Macon and pro tempore President of the Senate Jesse Franklin. Includes an account of the 11 July 1804 duel between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton on page 2. A patriotic song for the 4th of July is printed on page 4. Other articles detail local, international, political, court, and ship news, advertisements, and public announcements.

GLC03125

circa 1806

Unknown

Sketch

Title: [Pen and ink drawing of General James Wilkinson]

Folk art sketched portrait of Wilkinson's head and shoulders in uniform. Written underneath, "Great Willkison (sic) command Our Arms, When Missippi (sic) rolls - Nor need we fear dread Wars Alarms, While he, Our flag staff holds!!!"

GLC04601.15

24 April 1806

Ellery, William (1727-1820)

Autograph letter

Title: to George Wanton Ellery

Written to his son at Captain Barney's School in Wickford, Rhode Island. Thanks him for his letter. He has no objection to his learning to dance, for it will make him easy and graceful. If the fee is to be paid at entrance to dancing studies, Ellery asks George to ask Mr. Updike to advance it. Warns him not to let the dancing interfere with his studies. Aunt Burt in Bristol is seriously ill. Dean's wife died yesterday, leaving a "husband, and her eleven children many of whom are quite young.

GLC02300.22

Showing results 151 - 175

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