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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.

Speiden, Robert (fl. 11857-859) to William McBlair

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00722.51 Author/Creator: Speiden, Robert (fl. 11857-859) Place Written: s.l. Type: Document signed Date: 21 March 1859 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 33 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

Letter to McBlair listing the provisions on board the U.S.S. "Dale." The letter is a "Statement of provisions required for 116 person for sixty days and the quantity now on hand." Notes how many pounds of bread, beef, coffee, whiskey and other items are required for the vessel, and how many are, in fact, on board. (Quantities of some items on board are less than the required amount. ) Speiden also notes that "The greater part of the Flour is not good." Written on board the "Dale" off Porto Praya, Cape Verde.

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.

McBlair, William, ?-1863
Speiden, Robert, fl. 1857-1859

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