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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.

Polk, James K. (1795-1849) to Samuel Laughlin

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02496 Author/Creator: Polk, James K. (1795-1849) Place Written: Columbia, Tennessee Type: Autograph letter signed Date: August 23, 1844 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket ; 25 x 20 cm. + 1 engraving ; b&w ; 22.4 x 14.5 cm + 1 engraving ; b&w ; 22 x 14.6 cm
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Mentions some proofs Edwin Polk obtained to be added to a publication about Ezekial Polk (James K. Polk's grandfather) and his service in the Revolutionary War. Advises that this be done soon. Asks when the full report of the proceedings of the convention will appear in the paper. Discusses the amount of space being devoted to political news in a certain newspaper. Offers advice and encouragement to Laughlin as a political supporter, "Defend briefly when necessary, but keep up the attack ... " Marked private at top of first page. Addressed to Laughlin in Tennessee. Two black and white bust engravings of James Polk included.

Polk, James Knox, 1795-1849
Laughlin, Samuel Harvey, 1796-1850
Polk, Ezekiel, 1747-1824

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