Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Monroe, James (1758-1831) to John Steele

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00323 Author/Creator: Monroe, James (1758-1831) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Letter signed Date: 13 October 1812 Pagination: 3 p. ; 32 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

Advises the collector of customs in Philadelphia on the rules to follow regarding released British prisoners of war sailing home. Also requests that the secretary of state's office be informed of every cartel sailing from Steele's district. Outlines how Steele should work with the Marshall of Pennsylvania to prevent unintended releases of prisoners and arrange for payment for the passage of Americans released by the British. Monroe was then secretary of state.

Monroe, James, 1758-1831
Steele, John, 1758-1827

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