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.

Washington, George (1732-1799) to Mrs. Elizabeth Powel

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01646 Author/Creator: Washington, George (1732-1799) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter Date: 8 September 1787 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 19 x 19 cm. Order a Copy

Thanks her for a reflecting lamp that was apparently a new and unusual European import. Comments, "The benefits which will flow from the general use of such Lamps, are too apparent for the light of them to be long hid from the American World."

Elizabeth Powel was the wife of Samuel Powel, the Mayor of Philadelphia 1775-1776, 1789-1790.
Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

Saturday Morn<in>g. 8th. Sepr. 1787
Dear Madam,
The reflecting lamp, with which you have been so obliging as to present me, I shall highly esteem. - The benefits which will flow from the general use of such Lamps, are too apparent for the light of them to be long hid from the American World. - Neat simplicity, is among the most desirable properties of the one you have sent me, - but that which stamps the highest value thereon, is the hand from which it comes. - I have the honor to be with affecte. regard.
Dr. Madam

[docket]
Gen Washington
to Mrs Powell

[address]
Mrs. Powell

Washington, George, 1732-1799
Powel, Elizabeth Willing, 1743-1830

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