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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.

Maunsell, William (fl. 1794) to John Maunsell

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.06066 Author/Creator: Maunsell, William (fl. 1794) Place Written: Dublin, Ireland Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 19 March 1794 Pagination: 3 p. : address ; 32.1 x 20.2. Order a Copy

Discusses his successful experiment cultivating potatoes from their shoots. Claims, "a greater discovery was never made in agriculture…" and exclaims how the discovery will benefit "the lower orders of the People with food at a very cheap rate." Mentions the Dublin Society made him an honorary member and are presenting him with a gold medal for his discovery. Expresses his delight over the praises and compliments he has received from his discovery. Notes he will be presenting his work before his majesty (King George III) and the Prince of Wales (future King George IV). Describes the cultivation as simple and cheap but very effective. Encloses his letter to the Dublin Society and instructs it to be delivered to the President of the United States, George Washington. Discusses a death of a family member. Signed by [W.?] Maunsell.

Maunsell, William, fl. 1794
Maunsell, John, 1724-1795
Washington, George, 1732-1799

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