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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22 May 1634

Winthrop, John (1588-1649)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathaniel Rich

One letter from John Winthrop to Nathaniel Rich dated May 22, 1834. Describes the agricultural developments, establishing a local government and church system. Mentions that most local indigenous people had died from smallpox which he felt allowed them to take over their land more easily.

GLC01105

6 July 1640 ca

Williams, Roger

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Winthrop

Discusses the current behavior of the Native Americans in his area. Mentions struggles between the sachem Uncas, allied with the European settlers, and his enemy, Miantinomo. Postscript possibly refers to the efforts of King Charles I to restore High Church liturgy in Scotland. Written to Royal Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony Winthrop during (or shortly after) his second term. Date of composition may be 7 June 1640 instead of 6 July 1640. Williams was founder of Rhode Island.

GLC01590

10 March 1658

Sanford, John

Autograph document

Title: [Acts and orders made at the General Court of Commissioners held for this Colony at Portsmouth, March the tenth 1658]

Written by Chief Magistrate of the Colony at Portsmouth Sanford. Report of a meeting moderated by Benedict Arnold.

GLC00496.079

29 September 1664

Nicholls, Richard (1624-1672)

Manuscript document

Title: [True copy of articles, whereupon the Citty and Fort Amsterdam and the Province of the New Netherlands were surrendered]

Co-signers of original are listed at end, including: Robert Carr, Connecticut Governor John Winthrop, Samuel Willis, George Cartwright, Thomas Larke, John Pricham, Johan I Dechere, Nicholas Barlet, Samuel Mogapolonsio, Cornolis Sterunyck, Oloft Stopons Van Cortland, Jacquios Coussuan. Twenty-three articles stating the properties and rights of the new governance of New Amsterdam. Partial docket reads "Articles concerning."

GLC00377

1676

Livingston, Robert (1654-1728)

Manuscript document

Title: Charter of Albany

The document puts forth a number of policies regarding how the city and county of Albany ought to operate. It states that trade with Indians will remain an exclusive privilege of the town's residents, that the people must consent to being taxed whenever necessary, and that hunting passes may not be issued. It also lays the ground for the formation of a body politic, and mandates the issuance of land patents to residents. Finally, it states that the area of land called Schachkook will remain in the possession of the Indians that live there. Docketed on verso.

GLC03107.01862

25 September 1679

Kendall, William (fl. 1679)

Manuscript document signed

Title: Proposition made to the Mohawks

William Kendall, the Agent of Indian Affairs in Virginia, writes to set the terms of the colony's relationship with the Mohawks. In order to maintain peace and friendship, Kendall writes that all Indians are required to stand still and lay down their arms upon contact with any Christians, or risk being killed as an enemy.

GLC03107.01881

20 September 1680

Culpepper, Thomas (1635-1689)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Royal Governor of the Colony of Virginia Culpepper mentions his arrival in Boston, his impressions, and a near shipwreck. Claims success in governing Virginia. An addendum is dated 5 October 1680.

GLC04298

1682

Visscher, Nicholas (fl. 1682)

Map

Title: Novi Belgi Novaeque Angliae [New Netherland and New England]

This map marks the culmination of Dutch surveys of their possessions in what became New York and New Jersey. Cartouche includes panorama of New York City (New Amsterdam). Engraved map, handcolored. See R. V. Tooley, The Mapping of America, p. 285 no. 6.

GLC03582

8 February 1683

Culpeper, Thomas (1635-1689)

Document signed

Title: [Land grant to Thomas Mitchell of 2,436 acres in New Kent County, Virginia]

Granted by Thomas Lord Culpeper, Baron of Thoresway. Signed as Royal Governor of the Colony of Virginia. Gives detailed descriptions of the boundaries of the property based on geographic and territorial landmarks. Also signed by Clerk of the Council and of the General Court Edward Chilton. Chilton would coauthor "The Present State of Virginia" with James Blair and Henry Hartwell. Notes on verso. Features paper seal.

GLC02468.10

1686

Grand Jury of Albany

Manuscript document

Title: Presentation of inconveniences to Thomas Dongan

The people of Albany condemn the practice of conducting trade with Indians outside of the town, as it has led to a decline in the trade and wealth of Albany, and will eventuallly bring the town to ruin. They also note that great debauchery has resulted when the youth of Albany enter Indians' houses to conduct trade, and complain of the practice of giving gifts to Indians, which allows them to set the higher value on commodities. They also comment on the poor state of highways in an around Albany.

GLC03107.01957

17 July 1687

Jacobse, Ryer (fl. 1687)

Letter

Title: to Thomas Dongan

Jacobse writes of a recent battle between the French and Indians, and gives speculated casualty counts. Docket notes that this is a translation of the original.

GLC03107.01999

16 January 1689

Pynchon, John (1626-1703)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Livingston

Pynchon sends news of New England Governor [Edmund Andros's ] excursion to find Indians in Maine, Governor's non-return, leading to fears of his demise. Rumors are passed along about an invasionary fleet sailing from Holland to England carrying the Prince of O[range].

GLC03107.00161

17 February 1689

Danforth, Thomas (fl. 1689)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles Frost

Writing to Major Charles Frost in Kittery, Maine, at the beginning of King William's War (1689-1697), Provincial Governor of Massachusetts Thomas Danforth orders him to go to Boston and gather troops: "You shall in all places and by all ways & means to your power take, kill, & destroy ye enemy without limitation of place or time as you shall have opportunity." Mentioned is Lt. Simon Willard (1605-1676). In the margin is a recommendation to Frost of a "Lt. Andrews". It is not known if the date on the piece is old style or new style.

GLC05580

28 March 1689

Schuyler, Peter

Document signed

Title: [Land grant for Joseph Yetts].

Countersigned by Robert Livingston. Schuyler and Livingston had procured the charter for the city in 1686. Livingston was Schuyler's brother-in-law. Signed by Peter Schuyler as mayor of Albany. Features paper seal.

GLC02542.02

20 July 1691

Dongan, Thomas (1634-1715)

Document signed

Title: [Bill of sale for the brig Mary, formerly called the Port Royal, from Thomas Dongan to Samuel Shrimpton]

Witnessed by E. Shrimpton and Nathaniel Myles. Dongan was Royal Governor of the Colony of New York from 1683 to 1688.

GLC02468.11

1693

Mather, Cotton (1663-1728)

Book

Title: The Wonders of the Invisible world: Being an Account of the Tryals... [witches]

One of the most famous of early New England books, here in the first British edition printed at London, following the first edition published in Boston the same year. Mather meant to expose witchcraft and to support his friends in the government. He gives detailed descriptions of each case, thus providing an invaluable record. All the early editions of this work are extremely rare, especially the Boston edition and the present one.

GLC00264

1696/02/07

Livingston, Robert, et al

Manuscript document signed

Title: Indenture between Livingston, William Kidd and Richard Blackham re: privateering

Indenture for one-fifteenth of the share of "goods m[er]chandizes or . . . other thiungs of value" amassed by Captain Kidd and his crew of the Adventure Galley, in their privateering efforts in the Red Sea. Detailed to seek the pirates who preyed upon ships from "new England R[h]ode Island, New Yorke & Elsewhere", Kidd and his crew were promised pay only upon the capture of a pirate ship. Blackham is offered a full refund in the event that Kidd fails in his charge.

GLC03107.00239

7 June 1699

Nicholson, Francis (fl. 1699)

Document signed

Title: [Appointment of Sir William Skipwith as sheriff of Middlesex County, Virginia].

Signed as Royal Governor General of the "Colony and Dominion of Virginia." Features paper seal of the Colony of Virginia. Note states that the appointment was admitted to record by Edwin [Mackerleur] on July 3, 1699.

GLC02468.17

1702

Schenk, Peter (1660-1718 or 9)

Print

Title: Nieu Amsterdam, een Stedeken in Noord Amerikaes Nieu Hollant [In Dutch]

View of New Amsterdam from the water. Hand colored engraving in the first state. Framed to 40 x 44 cm.

GLC03022

11 November 1702

Stevenson, Thomas

Document signed

Title: to Edward Hyde, Lord Cornbury

Signed by J. Rodman, Thomas Stevenson, John Way and William Bickley. Written by a group of New York Quakers "to the Governor." Contains a petition on the deprivation of voting rights for the members of the House of Representatives in Queens County and the Island of Nassau, as well as a complaint about unfair taxation. Cornbury was governor of New York and New Jersey from 1701 to 1708.

GLC02509.01

1703

Lahontan, Louis Armand de Lom d'Arce, Baron de

Print

Title: Compilation of 16 engravings taken from : Nouveaux Voyages de Mr. Le Baron de Lahontan, dans l'Amerique Septentrionale

The plates depict American Indians in various scenes. In upper left a small map of Canada's East cost and a profile view of Quebec.

GLC09517

23 January 1705

Trowbridge, Thomas

Document signed

Title: I Thomas Trowbridg of Newtown being upon the seventh day of December 1705 upon the road leading to Boston.

Also signed by John Winchester, Jr. Trowbridge and Winchester had been accused by Royal Governor of Massachusetts Joseph Dudley of attacking him, and he had pressed charges. The two carters deny the charges and say that Dudley was the aggressor. The men were discharged 6 November 1706.

GLC00461.02

23 January 1705

Dudley, Joseph (1647-1720)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Reverend and Dear Sir

Includes his testimony to the Superior Court of an altercation he has had with two carters, John Winchester, Jr. and Thomas Trowbridge. He claims they attacked him when he ordered them to make way for his carriage and he wishes to press charges. Signed as Governor of Massachusetts.

GLC00461.01

20 October 1708

Oliver, Thomas (fl. 1708)

Manuscript document signed

Title: [A Memorial of the State of the Province of Massachusetts Bay in New England to Queene Anne during Queen Anne's War]

A petition from the Massachusetts colonists requesting help in quelling the hostile Indians allied with the French during Queen Anne's War. Gives insight into the conflict's costs upon New England. Discusses the Indians' barbarity and the French setting prices for scalps. Describes their need of aid and the ineffectiveness of regular troops against the Indians. Asks Queen Anne to enlist the help of Mohawks and other friendly Indian nations. Comments on trade, French holdings, and the supply of masts for ships.

GLC04891

25 August 1717

George I, King of Great Britain (1660-1727)

Document signed

Title: [Commission of John Paul Mascarene to Captain]

Appointment of John Paul Mascarine to Captain in the Regiment of Colonel Richard Phillips Esq. Signed by Secretary of War R. Arnold. Signed by the Commissary General [name illegible]. Signed by J. Addison below the phrase "by His Majesties Command." Features a dark blue paper seal.

GLC01450.441

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