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.

McSherry, Richard M. (b. 1818) to Henry F. McSherry

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.21.13 Author/Creator: McSherry, Richard M. (b. 1818) Place Written: Baltimore, Maryland Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 16 December 1861 Pagination: 2 p. : envelope ; 25.1 x 19.8 cm. Order a Copy

Written by Richard to his brother Henry. After Henry left, he went to see Mr. Lancaster, who showed him around. Went to the Academy of Music. References receiving his letter from New York, and was glad he made it back on time. Says he sent the $5 to Aunt Eliza and settled with their mother, and says they are now even. Says he walked down the street with Mrs. Spalding and that she enquired after him. Says "We are all rejoicing here over the news from the other side and I hope that you will soon have to leave off blockading etc and go to fight the British Lion." Says there has been a good deal of small parties, and hopes Christmas will provide one or two bigger ones. Wants him to send a carte de visite, saying "I would like to have your effigy before Jno Bull gets you." Envelope addressed to Henry at the USS "Sciota" at the Navy Yard in Philadelphia. Postmarked 16 December in Baltimore.

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