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.

Porter, David Dixon (1813-1891) to J. P. Robertson

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02466.12 Author/Creator: Porter, David Dixon (1813-1891) Place Written: Hampton Roads, Virginia Type: Letter signed Date: 7 November 1864 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 24.7 x 19.5 cm. Order a Copy

Written on stationery of the "North Atlantic Squadron, U.S. Flag-Ship 'Malvern.'" Signed by Rear Admiral Porter to Lieutenant Commander Robertson as commander fo the USS "Monticello" at New London, Connecticut. Tells him to "follow of course." Tells him an officer "should never wait for instructions under such circumstances." Marked at top "Telegraph!"

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