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.

Kennard, Joel S. (b. 1819) to William McBlair

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00722.18 Author/Creator: Kennard, Joel S. (b. 1819) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 6 November 1857 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

Acknowledging his mistake "in refusing to do duty" and requesting that he now be "relieved from suspension."

Joel S. Kannard was a Lieutenant in the United States Navy, later served in the Confederate Navy.
William McBlair was a United States naval officer in command of the ship "Dale," responsible for catching illegal slave trading ships off the coast of Africa. Later served in the Confederate Navy.

Kennard, Joel S., 1819-?
McBlair, William, ?-1863

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources