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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3 July 1833

Buchanan, James (1791-1868)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isaac Wayne

Buchanan writes as United States Minister to Russia to Colonel Wayne. Relates that he has enjoyed his time in Russia, but will never be "contented to remain under the shadow of despotism longer than my duty to my country requires." Notes his rapid conclusion of a commercial treaty has induced President Jackson to summon him back to the United States. Commenting on Russia, notes "The mass of the people are slaves attached to the soil. A nobleman, in speaking of his estate never refers to the number of his acres; but always to the number of his peasants...

GLC05790

19 August 1837

Buchanan, James (1791-1868)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Milnor Roberts

Serving as Pennsylvania Senator, Buchanan apologizes to noted civil engineer Roberts for being unable to attend the opening of the first division of the Cumberland Valley Rail Road.

GLC00541

23 December 1837

Buchanan, James (1791-1868)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Peter Wager

Buchanan writes as a United States Senator from Pennsylvania. Discusses a possible mistake regarding the price of wine he ordered from Wager. Writes, "We have nothing new here except what you see in the papers. I think a deeper & stronger feeling exists among the southern men, than at any former period, on the subject of the abolition petitions. I begin to fear that the question may prove dangerous to the Union."

GLC02949

11 January 1838

Haughton, Richard (1799-1841)

Newspaper

Title: Atlas. [Vol. 6, no. 164 (January 11, 1838)]

Most prominent on this page is a report on the debate of "Calhoun's resolutions" concerning the parameters of the "gag rule," which was renewed by the senate annually between 1836 and 1844. The debate touches on states' rights, free speech, and secession, and provides an example of how the Senate avoided direct consideration of slavery by instead debating how they should discuss slavery. Contributions are made by senators John C. Calhoun, Daniel Webster, James Buchanan, and Thomas Morris, among others.

GLC05508.025

1840/05/16

Buchanan, James (1791-1868)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Dr. Francis Barclay re: predicting defeat of Harrison

Predicts the defeat of Harrison. Also comments that the Whigs are raising the senseless cry of "hard cider and log cabins" in an attempt to win the election.

GLC04901

1840/06/28

Buchanan, James (1791-1868)

Autograph letter signed

Title: To: Churchill C. Cambreleng

Election Predictions for 1840 and the Whigs: " Their hard cider will ... be converted into sour vinegar before the end of the dog days."

GLC07991

29 June 1840

Buchanan, James (1791-1868)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry A. Muhlenberg

Comments on the 1840 presidential campaign and states that they are "in the midst of a higher political excitement than I have ever yet witnessed ... " Believes that Pennsylvania will support Democrat Martin Van Buren though the Whigs have claimed the state for William Henry Harrison. Dwells at length upon the Whigs tactics to get the military leader, Harrison, elected. "They have built Log Cabins & drunk hard cider every where.

GLC02919

1840/12/09

Buchanan, James (1791-1868)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John B. Butler re: results of a meeting with the President

Written as Senator from Pennsylvania. Buchanan met with the President to discuss Edward Gazzam's claims (to be made minister to Texas). He adds "There is no news. The better opinion seems to be that Webster will be the Secretary of State under Harrison." With free franked integral address leaf docketed.

GLC02101

1842/01/09

Buchanan, James (1791-1868)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isaac Winters re: Whig administrators and the removal of Democrats

Discusses his lack of influence with Whig administrators, the removal of Democrats from office. Also, proscription suspended.

GLC04902

1 April 1842

Buchanan, James (1791-1868)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward D. Gazzam

Expresses the great value he places on Gazzam's friendship and political support. Comments that the office of the president is one that should not be sought out, but should also not be declined. Written as Senator from Pennsylvania. With a postscript at the end stating he will return to Washington tomorrow or Monday. Later addition, in another hand at the end "(x office of President)." Addressed to Gazzam in Petersburg, Pennsylvania.

GLC02102

16 April 1843

Buchanan, James (1791-1868)

Autograph note signed

Title: to J. H. Hodges

He answers a request concerning Dr. Sturgeon's post office. Written on a half sheet of paper. With offset from an engraving on the front, and a rubber stamp signature of previous owner on verso.

GLC04675.18

1844/02/03

Buchanan, James (1791-1868)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward D. Gazzam re: American interests better served by Texas independence

Written as Senator from Pennsylvania, regarding the bill for admission of Texas to the Union and South Carolina's opposition to another Tariff bill. Buchanan argues that an independent Texas would be better for America unless Great Britain were to annex it. He also dismisses South Carolina's (and Calhoun's) complaint that the Tariff impoverished the South by pointing to cheap cotton production in newer states like Mississippi or Alabama. (Recent historians agree with him.)

GLC02104

1844/04/13

Buchanan, James (1791-1868)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward D. Gazzam re: Texas and the annexation treaty

Written as Senator from Pennsylvania to his friend Edward Gazzam. Buchanan's delaying tactics the following year as Secretary of State under Tyler allowed the president to ask for a declaration of war against Mexico. A portion of the letter on p. 1 was removed by cutting, probably by Buchanan. With free frank.

GLC02100

1845

Frémont, John C. (1813-1890)

Book signed

Title: Report of the exploring expedition to the Rocky Mountains in the year 1842, and to Oregon and north California in the years 1843-'44

Published by Gales and Seaton. First edition. Inscribed to Samuel Marx by James Buchanan, with his signature. Recounts Frémont's 1842 expedition to Oregon, the second of his three expeditions. The folding map has been removed from the book (see GLC05103.02).

GLC05103.01

30 March 1846

Polk, James K. (1795-1849)

Document signed

Title: [Pardon of Robert Baker for engaging in the slave trade].

Countersigned by James Buchanan. Baker, 1st mate on the Brig "Montivedio", was convicted of engaging in the slave trade between Africa and Brazil and sentenced to serve 6 months in prison and pay a $500 fine and court costs. Pardoned after serving twelve months in prison because of his poverty (inability to pay the fine) and excellent conduct.

GLC00043.11

1846/05/14

Buchanan, James (1791-1868)

Document signed

Title: Circular letter re: declaration of war on Mexico

Printed letter signed as Secretary of State. This copy was sent to to Seth Sweetser, U.S. Consul at Guayaquil.

GLC01860.18

28 May 1846

Buchanan, James (1791-1868)

Document signed

Title: [Patent for Matthias Baldwin's combination of the steam whistle and the boiler]

Signed by James Buchanan as Secretary of State. Countersigned by Edmund Burke as United States Commissioner of Patents. Baldwin's written description of the combined steam whistle/boiler is signed by E. W. C. Green and John White as witnesses. Contains a one page diagram depicting Baldwin's invention. Sealed and bound with a light blue ribbon (frayed and torn) and accompanied by a light green paper seal. Elaborate engraved seal at the top of the first page, annotated with the names Henry Stone, Pxt. and Bannerman, Sc.

GLC00063

24 June 1846

United States. Congress (29th, 1st session : 1846)

Pamphlet

Title: Schooner Amistad.

Includes a letter from James Buchanan, Secretary of State, to Charles J. Ingersoll, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives. Contains correspondence between A. Calderon de la Barca, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of Spain, and John C. Calhoun, Secretary of State before Buchanan. All items pertain to the Amistad.

GLC00267.067.02

24 June 1846

United States. Congress (29th, 1st session : 1846)

Pamphlet

Title: Schooner Amistad.

Contains an introductory statement by James Buchanan, Secretary of State, transmitting documents to Charles J. Ingersoll, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives. The report contains correspondence between Buchanan and A. Calderon de la Barca, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of Spain. Contains an 1818 letter from Don Luis de Onis (Spanish Minister) to John Quincy Adams (Secretary of State 1817-1825).

GLC05796

21 November 1846

Buchanan, James (1791-1868)

Letter signed

Title: to John Serretta

Denies three Mexican priests serving in the United States permission to aid their colleagues in Mexico. Suggests that the priests try traveling with a neutral ship. Signed as Secretary of State during the Mexican War. Impression in upper left corner reads "Bath Superfine."

GLC02776

1846/11/24

Polk, James K. (1795-1849)

Manuscript document signed

Title: Pardon of Francis Bassach (c/s James Buchanan)

c/s James Buchanan. Bassach was known as "alias William Mallett" and had been convicted of "assault on the high seas."

GLC06936

27 January 1847

Buchanan, James (1791-1868)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward D. Gazzam

Encloses a passport and a letter for General Campbell. Gazzam was to depart on a voyage to Havana soon and apparently asked Buchanan if there were any dispatches needing posting. Buchanan politely replies that dispatches post to Havana by mail very quickly and that couriers are not usually paid to carry them so he cannot comply with his request.

GLC02103

30 March 1847

Buchanan, James (1791-1868)

Letter signed

Title: to Robert Dodge

Granting Dodge a courier's passport for France. Apologizes for being unable to grant the pass originally asked for, but Dodge's intentions did not comply with the uses of that particular document.

GLC00091.03

13 July 1847

Polk, James K. (1795-1849)

Document signed

Title: Pardon of George Miles, convicted of mutiny aboard the Barque "Agnes." Also, includes petitions and receipts.

Miles, "...convicted of a revolt on board of the barque 'Agnes'..."; sentenced to pay a $1 fine and courts costs [$25], and be imprisoned for ten days. Pardoned after serving his prison sentence since he was too poor to pay his fine. (c/s James Buchanan)

GLC00043.12

13 July 1847

Polk, James K. (1795-1849)

Document signed

Title: Pardon of Lewis Huskey alias Edward Cairns, convicted of mutiny aboard the Barque "Agnes." Also, includes petitions and receipts.

Huskey [a.k.a. Cairns], "...convicted of a revolt on board of the barque 'Agnes'..."; sentenced to pay a $1 fine and courts costs [$25], and be imprisoned for ten days. Pardoned after serving his prison sentence since he was too poor to pay his fine. (c/s James Buchanan)

GLC00043.13

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