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. 1792) to Henry F. McSherry

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.21.54 Author/Creator: McSherry, Richard M. (b. 1792) Place Written: Martinsburg, West Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 28 March 1866 Pagination: 2 p. : envelope ; 20.3 x 12.6 cm. Order a Copy

Written by Richard to his son Henry. Makes reference to Henry's sister Anna returning from Washington where bureaucratic infighting involving Henry's resignation was taking place. Says reports of intemperance were stated against him. Says "Do my dear boy quit the poison I believe I once before went to you on the subject. It will destroy soul and body, distress fathers[,] sisters[,] and brothers." Envelope marked by Henry stating that the letter was received in Hong Kong on 5 May 1866.

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