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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 70,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World to soldiers’ letters from World War II and Vietnam. Explore primary sources, visit exhibitions in person or online, or bring your class on a field trip.

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Franklin, Benjamin (1706-1790) to John Hunter

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01656 Author/Creator: Franklin, Benjamin (1706-1790) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 3 December 1755 Pagination: 1 p. : docket : free frank ; 21 x 16 cm.

Summary of Content: With autograph free frank. Franklin says that "By our late Act I am engag'd in the Disposition of the 60,000 pounds," money given to him by the Pennsylvania legislature to raise a militia for defence of the state's borders during the French and Indian war. He then asks about "a train of artillery, arms, etc." arriving in Virginia. A personal letter.

Background Information: Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

People: Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
Hunter, John, fl. 1755

Historical Era: Colonization and Settlement, 1585-1763

Subjects: French and Indian WarAmerican Indian HistoryMilitiaMilitary HistoryFinanceEconomicsGovernment and CivicsLawArtilleryWeaponryGlobal History and US Foreign PolicyGlobal History and US Foreign PolicyFrontiers and ExplorationFrance

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