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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.

Bromfield, Sally (fl. 1777) to Henry Bromfield

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01450.803.04 Author/Creator: Bromfield, Sally (fl. 1777) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 19 April 1777 Pagination: 4 p. : docket ; 22.9 x 18.7 cm. Order a Copy

Affectionate, and at some points funny, letter to her brother. Jokes about who in the family was going to take up the pen to write him. Worries about the destruction the war is causing. Says she "cannot help hoping that an overuling providence will interpose in our favor before we are utterly ruin'd." Says respectful gentleman are being dragged out of their houses and surrounded by the rabble. Laments the evil side of human nature. Sends family's love. Postscript says she has sent several letters before this and asks him to pick up red leather pocketbooks for ladies, if he can find them.

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