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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.

J.B.M. (fl. 1853) to John Cripps

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03587.03 Author/Creator: J.B.M. (fl. 1853) Place Written: San Francisco, California Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 31 July 1853 Pagination: 4 p. : envelope ; 25.4 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

Writes to his friend reporting the death of an acquaintance. Discusses the declining financial state of his ranch and the inevitable sale of the land. Plans to meet Cripps in Mexico and ponders the possible economic advantages of relocating. The author looks forward to their adventures in Mexico. Imprint in upper left corner is indecipherable. Postscript asks Cripps about the "senoritas" in Mexico. Envelope postmarked 1 August, San Francisco, 24 August, San Francisco, and Acapulco.

Cripps was General Gadsden's Secretary and a sawyer by profession.

J.B.M., fl. 1853
Cripps, John S., fl. 1820-1875

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