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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.

Semmes, Paul Jones (1815-1863) to Joseph E. Brown

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00508.03 Author/Creator: Semmes, Paul Jones (1815-1863) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 21 December 1860 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 25.5 x 20.5 cm. Order a Copy

Writes to the Governor of Georgia enclosing a contract for 300 Colt New Model Army pistols to be delivered in two weeks. Mentions that the same factory, the Colts Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Co. of Hartford, Connecticut is now filling orders for the U.S. Government at the same price of $22.50. Comments on the pistol, "...this is a very superior arm - a little longer & larger than Colts Navy and lighter than Colt Dragoon pistol and better than either." Informs of other contracts made for "...cavalry & artillery sabres, cavalry & Infantry equipments, rifle cannon & projectiles, Lead, Gun carriages, ..." Marked copy. Addressed from the 5th Avenue Hotel, New York.

Semmes was a Georgia banker and plantation owner who served as agent for the State of Georgia during the preparations for the Civil War. He served as colonel of the 2nd Georgia in the Confederate Army at the outbreak of the war and was promoted to brigadier general in March 1862. He was assigned to a brigade in McLaws' division of Longstreet's corps fighting in Crampton's Gap, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Salem Church, and Gettysburg, where he was mortally wounded.

5th avenue Hotel New York
21 Dec 1860
His Excellency
Joseph E. Brown
Governor of Georgia
[illegible]
Sir,
Your Excellency will find herewith enclosed, a contract for 300 of Colt's new model army pistols, which are to be delivered on ship board in two weeks.
The Colts Patent Fire arms manufacturing Company of Hartford Connecticut is now filling an order for several thousands of the pistols for the United States government at the price agreed upon by me to be paid for the 300 purchased-$22.50 This is a very superior arm-a little longer& larger than Colt Navy& lighter than Colt dragoon pistol& better than either [struck: You will be] Your Excellency
will be[2]
[illegible]
I have made contracts for cavalry& artillery sabres, cavalry& infantry equipment, rifle cannon& projectiles, Lead, Gun carriages, [illegible] which will be provided.
I am
Your Excellency's
servant
Paul J. Semmes
Letter to Gov. Brown
[illegible]
21 Dec 1860

Semmes, Paul Jones, 1815-1863
Brown, Joseph Emerson, 1821-1894

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