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.

Davis, Jefferson (1808-1889) to unknown

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02299 Author/Creator: Davis, Jefferson (1808-1889) Place Written: Briarfield, Mississippi Type: Autograph letter signed Date: August 1857 Pagination: 4 p. ; 32 x 21 cm. Order a Copy

Written after relinquishing the post of Secretary of War, defending himself against charges made by General John Wool. Davis asks that his correspondent publish his letters on the matter, in hopes of clearing his name. Davis also writes about the events at the Battle of Buena Vista. Wool had been voted a testimonial sword by Congress but had not received it in California and believed that Davis kept it out of spite.

Wool, John Ellis, 1784-1869
Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889

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