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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.

Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865) [Authorization to affix the seal of the United States to the envelope of a letter addressed to Kamehameha V, King of the Hawaiian Islands]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02661 Author/Creator: Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Document signed Date: 2 February 1864 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 26 x 21 cm. Order a Copy

Partially printed document directs the Secretary of State to affix the seal of the United States to a condolence letter addressed to Kamehameha V for the death of King Kamehameha IV, his brother. Kamehameha IV had sought closer ties with the United States. Kamehameha V was the last of the direct line of Hawaiian Kings, following his death the kingship became elective.

I hereby authorize and direct the Secretary of the State to affix the Seal of the United States to the envelope of a letter addressed to His Majesty Kamehameha V, King of the Hawaiian Islands (condolence); dated this day, and signed by me and for so doing this shall be his warrant.
Abraham Lincoln
Washington, 2 February, 1864.

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865
Kamehameha IV, 1834-1863
Kamehameha V, 1830-1872

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