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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.

Butler, Pierce (1744-1822) Resolved... Territory of the States is too extensive to Consist of one Republic

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00819.23 Author/Creator: Butler, Pierce (1744-1822) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph manuscript Date: August 1787 Pagination: 1 p. ; 20 x 16 cm. Order a Copy

Recommends dividing the states into three allied republics.

Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

Resolved that it is the opinion of this Convention that the Strictest friendship and Alliance, as well offensive or defensive should Subsist between the States of America.
Resolved that it is the opinion of this Convention that the Territory of the States is too extensive to Consist of One Republic only--Resolved therefore that it is the opinion of this Convention that the Security of equal liberty and general welfare will be best preserved and Continued by forming the States into three Republicks [sic], distinct in their Governments but United by a Common League Offensive and Defensive--

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