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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.

McBlair, William (d. 1863) to V. McBlair

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00722.60 Author/Creator: McBlair, William (d. 1863) Place Written: Porto Praya, Cape Verde Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 23 April 1858 - 3 May 1858 Pagination: 4 p. ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

Writing to his wife, discusses British pressure regarding American suppression of the slave trade, as well as his daily operations at sea, family affairs and religion. Hopes to return to the United States by the first of December and believes "The worst of our work however is over on this coast." McBlair signs with his initials.

In part: "Dined yesterday ashore with our Consul...I am very busy making up my reports &c to leave here for the Commodore; I shall sail this afternoon for the Canaries...The Secretary has posstively promised that we shall be in U States by 1st December, but this...must not be whispered abroad, it might have a contrary effect - as the English have been pushing our government to keep up the number of guns required by treaty...Kennard also writes me that he has it from the best source that we are to be home by 1st December. Do not fail to interest Ingraham and Wilkes in sending me a certified copy of the orders...My beloved wife I am very, very anxious to hear that your health has been restored...."

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, V., fl. 1857-1859
McBlair, William, ?-1863

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