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.

Spooner, Walter to Dear Friends

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02924.046 Author/Creator: Spooner, Walter Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 12 April 1777 Pagination: 1 p. Order a Copy

Tells six prisoners in jail in Taunton that he could find no one to interpose for them or to pay their fines. Asked William Tallman to send him a petition with their names, but it has not arrived. Has sent a letter to the sheriff asking him to discharge them on their giving twenty pound bonds. Regarding his belief that the court will not prosecute them if they fail to pay the bond, he adds: "you need not mention my judgement, for if you should it may give some uneasiness to others." Address on verso reads: "To the six persons now in goal at Taunton for not going into the Army."

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