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 - 12

1770

Pittman, Philip (fl. 1770)

Book

Title: The Present state of the European settlements on the Mississippi [1st ed.]

First book in English concerning the Illinois region. By Captain Philip Pittman.

GLC04344.01

16 March 1775

Laurens, John (1754-1782)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Laurens

Written by John Laurens as a law student at Middle Temple in London to his father Henry Laurens as a member of the First Provincial Congress of South Carolina. Has time to write because Mr. Curling is detained. Says he is sending the fourth number of the Parliamentary Register and other papers. Says Mr. Simmons is returning to America with Curling, but that their friend Dean's health keeps him from making the voyage. Says a letter from him will work wonders. Says some friends have inquired about Henry's health. Mentions that his friend Mr.

GLC04343.02

14 August 1775

Laurens, John (1754-1782)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Laurens

Written by Laurens as a law student at Middle Temple in London to an unknown recipient. Says he can get this and maybe another letter through without it being intercepted by British government officials. Writes extensively on his opinions of the revolution in America.

GLC04343.01

25 September 1778

Washington, George (1732-1799)

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Tallmadge

Signed as commander in chief and written in the hand of John Laurens, Washington's aide. Assures Tallmadge that his cavalry would receive enough supplies but warns that there will be no new horses.

GLC01746

28 October 1779

Laurens, John (1754-1782)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Discusses troubles in bringing Washington's dispatches to Congress. Since the Iphigenie will not be sailing, he will take a pilot boat to the fleet. Assures him that "Nothing on my part shall be wanting to deliver your dispatches to Congress." Written "On board of the Iphigenie."

GLC02499.12

29 December 1780

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de (1757-1834)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Meade

Discusses selection of an American envoy being sent to France. Congress had decided to send an envoy extraordinary to France to secure a loan and improve supply shipments. Lafayette tried to help Alexander Hamilton attain this post, but failed. Says that all admitted Hamilton was the "best calculated for this mission," but "he is not very popular" and not a "Southern Man" so he was not chosen by the Congress. Instead John Laurens was selected. Inform his "very good friend" that a French officer will soon be arriving to meet Meade.

GLC03647

15 June 1781

Unknown

Manuscript document

Title: [The account of Otis & Henly, to ascertain the amount of clothing supplied by them]

Lists clothing shipped on board Captain Hardie's ship, Olimpe, at Brest, France 15 June 1781. A separate list indicates artillery, ordnance, and camp equipage on board the Cybelle, ordnance stores on the ship Ruise, and medicines and instruments on board the Active. Shipped by order of [John] Laurens, special minister to France.

GLC02437.00970

30 August 1781

Knox, William (1756-1795)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Disappointed that his brother did not write him an "authentic account of Lord Cornwallis' situation in Virginia." Believes Cornwallis will surrender soon. Is planning a business trip to Europe and discusses fundraising. His last remittance to merchants in Amsterdam was forwarded through Captain Edward Davis, but the $450 sterling was lost when Davis was captured and carried to Halifax. Discusses the state of exchange, the slim chances for profit, and various aspects of his business.

GLC02437.01159

6 September 1781

Knox, William (1756-1795)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Mentions Lucy Knox's trip up the Hudson River and hearing that General Knox passed New Windsor, New York with Governor George Clinton on his way to meet Lucy. Comments on a naval battle off the coast of Boston between the French frigate Magicianne and the more heavily armed British ship Assurance. Inquires if a Mr. Diricks was ever a Colonel in the Continental Army.

GLC02437.01167

20 September 1781

Knox, William (1756-1795)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Response to 4 September 1781 letter (GLC02437.01165). Discusses their financial situation, "which undoubtedly are in such a train as to require the strictest attention to Oeconomy." William has sold some goods to prepare for his business trip to Europe. Comments that "It would have been particularly agreeable if you could have received part of what the public are indebted to you." Mentions that the allocation of the cash from the loan John Laurens obtained from France has not been negotiated yet.

GLC02437.01185

24 October 1781

Laurens, John (1754-1782)

Autograph document signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Colonel Laurens communicates George Washington's request that Knox send "one of the pieces taken in the Redout [sic] by the french troops...to the regiment of Gattenois." This was in accordance with general orders issued 20 October 1781. The ordnance was seized in the Battle of Yorktown. Laurens had marched to Yorktown as an aide to General George Washington.

GLC02437.01259

2 April 1786

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Gordon

Writes that he is unaware of a present being sent from the King of France to General George Washington; declares that Colonel Laurens received money and goods but he thought they had been purchased. Provides information about a wartime incident featuring General Washington and the Comte de Grasse (much of this section is crossed out). May have been verifying information for the Reverend Doctor Gordon's history of the war (see GLC02437.03248). See GLC02437.03258 for a legible copy of the section describing this incident.

GLC02437.03257

Showing results 1 - 12