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.

Gallatin, Albert (1761-1849) to David Harris

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02505.19 Author/Creator: Gallatin, Albert (1761-1849) Place Written: Washington, D. C. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 12 October 1802 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket : free frank ; 26 x 20.5 cm. Order a Copy

Discusses his attempt to ascertain the fee that should be paid to Luther Martin, a lawyer, by comparing the case to others. States that as far as he can ascertain, the highest fee ever given to a "gentleman of the bar" by the Treasury was to Alexander Hamilton, who was given $500 for a case concerning the constitutionality of the carriage tax. Advises Harris that Martin will get the fee the Bank usually gives and if he is not satisfied with that, please let him know what he thinks is a reasonable offer. Addressed to Harris as Cashier of the Office of Discount and Deposit in Baltimore, Maryland.

Gallatin was Secretary of the Treasury 1801-1814. Martin became the first attorney general of Maryland and held office 1778-1805 and again from 1818-1822.

Gallatin, Albert, 1761-1849
Harris, David, fl. 1802
Martin, Luther, 1748-1826

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