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.

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

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00722.61 Author/Creator: McBlair, William (d. 1863) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 24 May 1858 - 2 June 1858 Pagination: 4 p. ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

Writing to his wife, discusses the route for his voyage to the Canary Islands, his thoughts on religion and scripture, and the future of their children. Written on board the U.S.S. "Dale" at sea.

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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