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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Showing results 1 - 25

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1552

Casas, Bartolomé de las, (1474-1566)

Book

Title: Aqui se Contiene una Disputa, o Controversia [Second Edition]

The fifth tract on the conquest of the New World and rights of the Indians. In Spanish.

GLC04220

1585-1763

Magistrates of Albany

Manuscript document

Title: Proposal to Coll. Thomas Dongan re: regulation of trade with Indians

The Magistrates explain that due to the barren soil of Albany, the inhabitants of the county have no other way to make a living other than through trade with Indians, which has been quite poor as of late. They therefore request that Coll. Dongan regulate trade with Indians so that it may only be conducted in Albany, which will in the end increase the royal governments revenues.

GLC03107.01956

1585-1763

Unknown

Manuscript document

Title: Propositions made by the Mohicans [in Dutch]

GLC03107.02113

1585-1763

Vrooman, Adam/van Olinda, P.

Manuscript document

Title: Petition to purchase a tract of land

The petitioners Adam Vrooman and P. van Olinda ask the Mayor and Aldermen if they may purchase a tract of land currently used by Indians, as it would be a convenient settlement for their children.

GLC03107.04931

22 May 1634

Winthrop, John (1588-1649)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathaniel Rich

Reply to an October 1633 letter from Sir Nathaniel Rich inquiring about conditions in the colony. Describes Boston and the local Native Americans and mentions Royal Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony Thomas Dudley, Mr. Parker, John Alden, and John Howland, the last two in reference to an altercation on the Pascataqua River. Written just after Winthrop's first term as Royal Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

GLC01105

1637-1850

Livingston, Family

Various

Title: Letters and documents of the Livingston-Redmond family of New York (decimalized).

Microfilm copy available

GLC03107

6 July 1640 ca

Williams, Roger

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Winthrop

Discusses the current behavior of the Native Americans in his area. Mentions struggles between the sachem Uncas, allied with the European settlers, and his enemy, Miantinomo. Postscript possibly refers to the efforts of King Charles I to restore High Church liturgy in Scotland. Written to Royal Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony Winthrop during (or shortly after) his second term. Date of composition may be 7 June 1640 instead of 6 July 1640. Williams was founder of Rhode Island.

GLC01590

March 24, 1641

Winslow, Edward (1595-1655)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Winthrop

Member of the Court of Assistants Winslow writes to Royal Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony Winthrop about a dispute over the area now known as Seekonk. Discusses Samuel Gorton, who was preaching to the Native Americans under the protection of the Colony at Providence. Docketed by Winthrop. In the land dispute the Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay Colonies joined together against Roger Williams of the Colony at Providence. One bust engraving of Edward Winslow included.

GLC04000

29 November 1652

Winslow, John

Manuscript document

Title: A Deed Appointed to be Recorded.

Known as the Dartmouth Purchase, this land became the town of Dartmouth, Massachusetts. Wasamequin and his son Wamsutta sold the land to Winslow, William Bradford, Myles Standish, Thomas Southworth, John Cooke, and their associates, the Purchasers and Old Comers. The deed provides the boundaries of the land and enumerates the goods and money Wasamequin and Wamsutta received in return. Copy made in the presence of Jonathan Shaw and Samuel Eedy.

GLC02924.002

November 7, 1655

Leverett, John (fl. 1655)

Autograph document signed

Title: [Trading within Fort Penobscott].

Massachusetts Colonial Agent Leverett discusses trading within Fort Penobscott. Leverett was Royal Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony from 1673 to 1679. One black and white bust engraving of John Leverett included.

GLC02468.16

12 November 1661

Mohican Indians

Manuscript document signed

Title: Land sale.

Sale of land on Long Island Sound to English Quaker John Budd by Indian tribe. Signed by five chiefs with their marks.

GLC05305

1 April 1665

Nicolls, Richard (1624-1672)

Autograph endorsement signed

Title: To the Right Worshipfull And Honorable Gou'vonnor Richard Nicolls

Clute and Bruyns, residents of Albany County, request Governor Richard Nicolls to approve thier purchase of a parcel of land from the Indians. Nicolls approves the purchase.

GLC03700

1666/05/22

Indian Treaties

Book

Title: Paix accordee par l'Empereur de France aux Iroquois [treaties]

Earliest printed treaty between Indians and a European power. Signed at Quebec on 22 May 1666.

GLC04390

[1666/07/8/18]

Unknown

Manuscript document

Title: Proposition at the Indian fortress at Albany [in Dutch]

GLC03107.01853

[1666/08/10/31]

Unknown

Manuscript document

Title: Proposition regarding Mohawk Indians [in Dutch]

GLC03107.01857

1666/08/15

Van Haguaisin, Orenstin

Manuscript document

Title: Proposition regarding Mohawk Indians [in Dutch]

GLC03107.01856

1672/07/23

Unknown

Manuscript document

Title: Proposition regarding Mohawk Indians [in Dutch]

GLC03107.01858

1673/12/12

Pynchon, John

Manuscript document signed

Title: "The charges of apprehending and securing Cockcatammuy & Callaquomy..."

An Itemized bill of expenses incurred in the capture and incarceration of two Native Americans.

GLC03107.00004

1673/12/12

Pynchon, John (1626-1703)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gerrit van Slichtenhorst re: reimbursement for expenses

John Pynchon writes to thank Gerrit van Slichtenhorst for reimbursing him for expenses incurred from apprehending "those villainous murderers." The letter seems to allude to damages from an attack by Indians.

GLC03107.04865

1674/05/08

Unknown

Manuscript document

Title: Proposition regarding Mohawk Indians [in Dutch]

GLC03107.01859

1676

Livingston, Robert (1654-1728)

Manuscript document

Title: Charter of Albany

The document puts forth a number of policies regarding how the city and county of Albany ought to operate. It states that trade with Indians will remain an exclusive privilege of the town's residents, that the people must consent to being taxed whenever necessary, and that hunting passes may not be issued. It also lays the ground for the formation of a body politic, and mandates the issuance of land patents to residents. Finally, it states that the area of land called Schachkook will remain in the possession of the Indians that live there. Docketed on verso.

GLC03107.01862

22 April 1676

Rawson, Edward

Autograph document signed

Title: [Order to the Major of Suffolk to send troops to help protect Concord and Medfield].

Written as Secretary of the Council of the Massachusetts Bay Colony (1650-1686) to the leader of the Massachusetts Milita in Dorchester (the Major of Suffolk) a few days after the 18 April 1676 attack on Sudbury during King Philip's War.

GLC04629

1677/04/24

Pynchon, John

Manuscript document

Title: Proposition regarding Mohican [Mahikander Indians [in Dutch]

GLC03107.01863

[1677/04/24]

Pynchon, John

Manuscript document

Title: Copy of Major Pynchon's proposal on the Mohican [Mahikander] [in Dutch]

GLC03107.01864

[1677/04/24]

Pynchon, John

Manuscript document

Title: Proposition regarding Mohican [Mahikander] Indians [in Dutch]

GLC03107.01865

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