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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.

Washington, George (1732-1799) to Pierre Charles L'Enfant

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.09393 Author/Creator: Washington, George (1732-1799) Place Written: s.l. Type: Manuscript letter signed Date: 16 October 1783 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 22.9 x 19 cm. Order a Copy

Grants permission to Major L'Enfant, of the Corps of Engineers, to be absent from his Corps until the first day of May 1784, so L'Enfant may travel to France for "his own private affairs." Includes the original red seal of what appears to be the coat of arms of the Washington family.

Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

Permission is hereby granted to Mr. L' Enfant Major of the Corps of Engineers in the service of the United States to be absent from his Corps untill the first day of May next - for the purpose of going to France on his own private affairs -
Given under my hand
and Seal the 16 Octr. 1783 -
Go: Washington

By His
Excellencys Command
[docket]
Major L Enfants permission
to go to France - 16 October
1783

L'Enfant, Pierre Charles, 1754-1825
Washington, George, 1732-1799

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