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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7 November 1851

Buchanan, James (1791-1868)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ezra B. Chase

Buchanan states his position on slavery and the issue of fugitive slaves. Buchanan strongly supports the Compromise of 1850 and the Fugitive Slave Act, and believes it will reduce sectional strife. He is "decidedly in favor of 'the finality' of the compromise measures" and finds that the Compromise favors the North, except for the Fugitive Slave Law. Also states that the Democrats of Pennsylvania have decided to repeal the law preventing fugitive slaves from being housed in jails. Has received many congratulations from the South for his work on this cause.

GLC00529.06

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