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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.

Burr, Aaron (1756-1836) to unknown

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03623 Author/Creator: Burr, Aaron (1756-1836) Place Written: Washington, D. C. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 30 December 1804 Pagination: 1 p. ; 25 x 20 cm Order a Copy

States that it is impossible for him to testify in a trial in Hartford, Connecticut on 2 March 1805. Remarks that he believes it unlikely that the court will not accommodate his time restraints as he is serving a public duty. Asks that if the trial has to be heard, the recipient must draw up and send him an affidavit so that he can sign it.

Burr was vice president at the time.

Washington 30 Dec. 04 -

The impossibility of my attendance at Hartford on the 2 March must have occurred to you - It is scarcely credible that any Court would be so unreasonable as to refuse time to one engaged in the discharge of a public duty - If however the trial must then preremptorily be heard, you must send me such affidavit as may be proper and useful - this you can draw up from the papers in you possession - Let it be copied in a legible fair hand properly folded and addressed to the Court so that I shall have only to make the affidt & seal it up -
Granger sais you will be here in a few days - which I do not credit, having heard nothing from you - He sais also that you will be named one of the Comr. under the fr. Treaty - I did not inquire his Authority nor have I any other than his opinion - I heard whether you were atty Genl - an office which will become vacant tomorrow, by the resignation of Lincoln -
Your affec A.Burr
my law library is almost broken up by lending -
what remains is always at your Command -

Burr, Aaron, 1756-1836

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