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.

3 search results

Showing results 1 - 3

20 August 1793

Anderson, John (1726-1796)

Manuscript document signed

Title: A short account of the Field Pieces presented by Mr Anderson Professor of Natural Philosophy, to Mr La Fayette, and the first National Assembly of France; together with two Extracts referred to in the Memorial to General Washington dated August 20th 1793

Originally included as an insert for a memorial to George Washington (GLC02437.10273 & .10274) advertising Anderson's inventions to improve field artillery. Writes he separated the French artillery into three classes, heavy, light, and the Volantes, "or those without wheels ... " States that "none of them [were] above Eight Pounders, and none under Four; because, in the opinion of the inventor, One, Two, and Three Pounders are unfit for throwing Grape Shot, and for wining field defence." Details Anderson's presentation of his Volantes.

GLC02437.10275

20 August 1793

Anderson, John (1726-1796)

Manuscript document signed

Title: to George Washington

Titles the document "The Memorial." Writes discussing inventions. States "[t]hat he has invented a Bronze Guns Metal, which has the advantage of Common Iron Guns, and of Common Brass Guns, without their imperfections.

GLC02437.10273

20 August 1793

Anderson, John (1726-1796)

Manuscript document signed

Title: to George Washington

Same as GLC02437.10273. Titles the document "The Memorial." Writes discussing inventions. States "[t]hat he has invented a Bronze Guns Metal, which has the advantage of Common Iron Guns, and of Common Brass Guns, without their imperfections.

GLC02437.10274

Showing results 1 - 3