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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25 March 1793

Washington, George (1732-1799)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gouverneur Morris

Discusses his non-involvement in foreign affairs. The death that called Washington to Mount Vernon was that of his nephew, George Augustus Washington, who died of tuberculosis.

GLC00494

29 April 1793

Washington, George (1732-1799)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Lewis

Gives to his nephew "The Land which was given to me by my Mother, or as Heir at law I am entitled I do," as a present. Describes the tract in Virginia. Also asks if "Major Harrison went to Mount Vernon as you expected" and about Harrison's intentions regarding his adjoining land. Signed "GWn." Lewis served as his uncle's private secretary.

GLC08930

10 November 1793

Washington, George (1732-1799)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Howell Lewis

Writes to his nephew, who was temporarily serving as overseer at Mount Vernon, about the rain they have been experiencing and the effects on the wheat crop. Mentions that the fields should be plowed soon. Asks Lewis to send him any bills. Requests that Lewis keep him updated on the crops, specifically wheat, rye, and corn. Asserts the importance of keeping good reports. Mentions "The old Bull commonly called the Callico Bull," and his livestock of cows. Advises him to tell the overseer that he expects proper reports.

GLC04653

15 December 1793

Washington, George (1732-1799)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frances "Fanny" Basset Washington re: adding another story to home

Written from Philadelphia. FBW was niece by marriage and a favorite of GW's wife ("Your Aunt"); she died of tuberculosis, just as her husband, George Augustine, did.

GLC00077

27 July 1794

Washington, George (1732-1799)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Burgess Ball

President Washington discusses the construction of a tilt hammer. Relates that the United States Government may be interested in purchasing a tract of land from Ball, upon which to establish an arsenal. Discusses the character of Hyland Crow, who served as an overseer on Washington's Union Farm after Washington left to serve as President in 1789. Notes that if Ball hires Crow as an overseer on his own farm, he must be strict.

GLC05287

1794/12/21

Washington, George (1732-1799)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Tobias Lear re: navigation of the Potomac, tobacco & business

Washington expresses pleasure at the Virginia Assembly's passing a bill concerning internal navigation of the Potomac, and mentions the quantities of tobacco in his warehouses and price differentials.

GLC01402

8 June 1796

Hodgdon, Samuel (1745-1824)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Per his promise, sends Knox a statement of his accounts with Hodgdon (not present). Seems to ask that Knox pay him a certain sum, so that Hodgdon can pay off one of Knox's creditors for him. Relates that the President will be traveling to Mount Vernon soon, but has nothing else new to report.

GLC02437.06768

1796/07/22

Washington, George (1732-1799)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harriot Washington Parks, his niece, re: congratulations on her marriage

Written as President, offering his congratulations and suggestions for "a prudent deportment" towards her husband, including "the accomodation of your views to his circumstances." Also advocating frugality, he adds "always keep the old adage in remembrance - 'Take your measure according to your cloth' and do not... endulge yourself either in dress, or mode of living that will be productive of embarrassmen[t]." He concludes by noting the amount of company present at Mount Vernon and their best wishes for her marriage.

GLC02793.005

22 January 1797

Washington, George (1732-1799)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Anderson re: instructions for management of Mount Vernon

Written as President. Washington goes into considerable detail regarding farming, especially innovations (a new red clover). He also mentions building a new road and the drought of the previous fall.

GLC02793.006

2 March 1797

Washington, George (1732-1799)

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Later copy of a letter from Washington to Knox, thanking Knox for a letter recently received. Offer condolences to Knox for his recent losses (several of Knox's children died 1796-1797, including his seven year old son named after George Washington).

GLC02437.09350

2 March 1797

Washington, George (1732-1799)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks Knox for a letter recently received. Offers condolences to Knox for his recent losses (three of Knox's children died 1796-1797, including his seven year old son named after George Washington).

GLC02437.09431

18 June 1797

Pinckney, Thomas (1750-1828)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Pinckey, former United States Minister to Great Britain, introduces Robert Bird of the House of Bird, Savage, and Bird of London. States that Bird hopes to pay Washington his respects at Mount Vernon, Virginia.

GLC00604.02

27 February 1798

Washington, George (1732-1799)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William A. Washington

Commisserates with his nephew, Colonel William A. Washington, on the death of his wife. Regrets he cannot find employment for Mr. Ashton, who had been recommended to him by his nephew, as he already has hired a clerk. Notes the grains he uses to make whiskey and the price he charges for it. Inquires about a source of staves for flour barrels, and tells him of queries on the Washington family genealogy from Sir Isaac Heard of the Heraldry Office in England. Asks about "Mrs. Washington of Bushfield".

GLC04445

26 November 1799

Washington, George (1732-1799)

Autograph document signed

Title: Invoice of Goods to be sent for by Mr. John Gill of Baltimore for and on account of George Washington of Mount Vernon in Virginia, according to agreement

List of dry goods Washington ordered for his plantation. Includes blankets, buttons, and cloth. Most of the items are material for blankets and clothing for his slaves. Asks for "6 pieces of the largest - thickest and best striped Blanketing for negros. - these pieces generally contain 15 or 16 blankets each. -" This list was written two and a half weeks before Washington's death. Previous research stated that the paper has the watermark of George Washington's stationery, but this could not be confirmed. A partial watermark is at the bottom corner of verso.

GLC05100

1800

Washington, George (1732-1799)

Pamphlet

Title: The Last Will & Testament of.... George Washington

Printed by Isaiah Thomas. Uncut.

GLC07425

1800/11/11

Washington, Martha

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Mary S. Lear re: Tobias Lear's health and illnesses in family and slaves

Mary Lear was Tobias Lear's mother. Contains much news of the Mount Vernon estate. "[A]ll my family whites, and Blacks, have been very sick, many of them very ill. -- Thank god they have all recovered again and I was so fortunate as not loose [sic] any of them --[.]" Martha Washington free frank on address leaf.

GLC02794.044

06 July 1844

Washington, John A. (1821-1861)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isaac R. Douglass

Discusses a deal and arrangements to sell and deliver a slave named Julia [Parker] to I. R. Douglass, possible Judge Isaac R. Douglass, of Jefferson County. Notes that William G. Cazenove told him Douglass would either pay $350 cash, or $400 in two installments, for Julia. Accepts Douglass's offer of $400. Retained copy.

GLC00236

1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: Items pertaining to John Augustine Washington [Decimalized .01-.02]

GLC02953

circa 1861

Unknown

Printed document

Title: [Poem praising John Augustine Washington]

Written in praise of Washington, who died 13 September 1861. States "No soldier of fortune, no seeker or pelf, No lover of glory and fame; But simply a man who was true to himself, The home where he'd dwelt and his name..."

GLC02953.02

19 June 1861

Washington, John Augustine (1821-1861)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ned Turner

Lt. Colonel Washington, George Washington's great-grandnephew and aide-de-camp to Robert E. Lee, discusses Lee's recent promotion, Union general Benjamin Franklin Butler and the recent Battle of Big Bethel, and Confederate general Joseph E. Johnston's evacuation of Harpers Ferry (Virginia). He begins by reviewing various business matters relating to Waveland, his plantation in Fauquier County, Virginia. Washington later mentions that one of his enslaved people had run away from Mount Vernon, and is now with Union forces.

GLC02953.01

1861-1877

Meyer, Hermann J., (1826-1909)

Engraving

Title: Washington's House, Mount Vernon

One engraving entitled "Washington's House, Mount Vernon" circa 1861-1877. Depicts a view of Washington's House and the surrounding property. Clusters of people across the lawn view the sunset. Caption notes, "drawn after nature for the proprietor, Hermann J. Meyer."

GLC08878.0200

2 June 1865

Clapp, Channing (fl. 1865)

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Permission for Elias W. Beach to visit Mount Vernon]

Written from Head Quarters, Engineer Brigade, near Fort Berry. Clapp, assistant adjutant general, gives Beach a one day pass by command of General Henry W. Benham.

GLC00919.25.02

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