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.

Preble, Edward (1761-1807) to Tobias Lear re: intention to sail for Algiers

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02794.054 Author/Creator: Preble, Edward (1761-1807) Place Written: Boston Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1803/07/27 Pagination: 1 p. 24.4 x 20 cm Order a Copy

Preble was the Captain of the "U.S.S. Constitution" and Commander of the U.S. Naval forces in the Mediterranean from 1803-1804. Docketed under the date in the upper-right hand corner.

Boston July 27 1803
Rec'd. -. 30th, 1803
Sir
It is my intention to sail on Thursday next. The rain has retarded our equipment so much as to prevent being ready before.

Respectfully I have
The honor to be Sir,
Yr. Obedt. Servt.
Edwd Preble

Tobias Lear Esq.

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