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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.

Cooper, Sarah Maria Mason (1800-1890) to Henry Jackson Hunt

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02382.115 Author/Creator: Cooper, Sarah Maria Mason (1800-1890) Place Written: Alexandria, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: circa 1871 Pagination: 2 p. ; 19.8 x 12.6 cm. Order a Copy

Mentions correspondence between Hunt, Emily Virginia Mason, and Richard Coulter Drum (refer to GLC2382.113 and .114). Thanks Hunt for the exertions he has made, with Mason and Drum (concerning financial matters, pertaining to her husband General Samuel Cooper). Relates that the General's health is poor, "but I am sure that he would agree with me, and with the other members of my family, that we must decline your kind aid. We cannot avail ourselves of help from your noble generosity- Accept for yourself our most kind regards... " Emily Virginia Mason corresponded with Hunt in 1871 and 1872 regarding her biography of Robert E. Lee. Through Drum and Mason, Hunt had attempted to anonymously give the Cooper's financial assistance. It had been suggested in previous correspondence that General Cooper would refuse Hunt's assistance, because Cooper had served the Confederacy and Hunt served the Union.

Hunt had served as Chief of Artillery for the Army of the Potomac. After the Civil War, he occupied various military posts. Emily Virginia Mason corresponded with Hunt in 1871 and 1872 regarding her biography of Robert E. Lee. Through Drum and Mason, Hunt had attempted to anonymously give the Cooper's financial assistance. It had been suggested in previous correspondence that General Cooper would refuse Hunt's assistance, because Cooper had served the Confederacy and Hunt served the Union.

Hunt, Henry Jackson, 1819-1889
Cooper, Sarah Maria Mason, fl. 1800-1809
Cooper, Samuel, 1798-1876
Drum, Richard Coulter, 1825-1909

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