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.

Stevens, Isaac Ingalls (1818-1862) to James Blood

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00817 Author/Creator: Stevens, Isaac Ingalls (1818-1862) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 8 August 1860 Pagination: 1 p. : envelope : free frank ; 24.7 x 19.7 cm. Order a Copy

Stevens, chairman of the National Democratic Executive Committee, garners support for the Democratic Party prior to the 1860 Presidential election. Informs Blood, a customs collector at Newburyport, Massachusetts, that the organizers of an upcoming Democratic event must distribute documents and make provision for speakers. Instructs Blood to send his donation to General Whitney, Customs Collector of the Port of Boston. Written on National Democratic Executive Committee stationery. On the top left side of this document, a printed notice advocates John C. Breckinridge of Kentucky for President and General Joseph Lane of Oregon for Vice President. Writes "...Our Committee are making the best arrangements possible for the canvas, and we are especially giving our attention to Pa. and New Jersey. Every thing looks encouraging in Pa. We however must call upon our friends to assist us... The canvas cannot be waged, unless we have the sinews of war...".

Blood, James, fl. 1860
Stevens, Isaac Ingalls, 1818-1862
Breckinridge, John C. (John Cabell), 1821-1875
Lane, Joseph, 1801-1881
Whitney, General, fl. 1861

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