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.

Eckstein, Frederick (fl. 1814) to Robert M. Patterson

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 #: GLC02978.18 Author/Creator: Eckstein, Frederick (fl. 1814) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 18 September 1814 Pagination: 3 p. : address ; 26.5 x 21 cm. Order a Copy

Seeks an explanation for why his name was omitted from the list of persons on the volunteer association of field engineers organized by Philadelphia's Committee of Defence. Recounts his admirable service thus far and notes that "The corps was to be composed of Gentlemen of Science and of honor - I feel my honor wounded." Patterson responded to this letter the same day (see GLC02978.19).

Robert M. Patterson was a professor of natural and experimental philosophy at the University of Pennsylvania, and was the chief engineer of the Corps of Field Engineers. Jonathan Williams was the chairman of the Committee of Defence.

Eckstein, Frederick, fl. 1814
Patterson, Robert M. (Robert Maskell)., 1787-1854

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources