Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 70,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World to soldiers’ letters from World War II and Vietnam. Explore primary sources, visit exhibitions in person or online, or bring your class on a field trip.

Back to Collection Search

Dundas, David, Sir, Bart (1749-1826) to James Dundas

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02549.28 Author/Creator: Dundas, David, Sir, Bart (1749-1826) Place Written: Richmond (London), England Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 2 June 1784 Pagination: 4 p. : address : docket ; 22.5 x 18.5 cm.

Summary of Content: Hopes that James will visit "Now that the convulsion of Politicks is over." Mentions "contested elections" and commends "Mr. Pitt, for his Wisdom & discretion in dissolving the last Parliament." Discusses British politics, mentioning Charles Fox and Scotland. Discusses a play he saw and a concert featuring Handel's music performed by an orchestra of 513 musicians. He notes that "nothing is now more talked of but Musick, & indeed I am afraid there is too much reason to believe that we shall like the present Itallians degenerate into a race of catgut scrapers." Mentions the "increase of George's family" and their brother Ralph's poor health. Docket in pencil does not appear to be contemporary.

Background Information: Sir David Dundas, 1st Bart of Richmond, was a doctor who was appointed Sargent Surgeon to King George III in 1791.
James Dundas was a lawyer in Edinburgh, Scotland, and David's ...younger brother.See More

People: Dundas, David, Sir, Bart, 1749-1826
Dundas, James, 1752-1831

Historical Era: The New Nation, 1783-1815

Subjects: Global History and US Foreign PolicyGlobal History and US Foreign PolicyPoliticsChildren and FamilyGovernment and CivicsElectionArt, Music, Theater, and FilmHealth and Medical

Sub Era: Creating a New Government

Order a Copy Citation Guidelines for Online Resources

Copyright Notice: The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.