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.

McHenry, James (1753-1816) to Thomas Jefferson

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03802 Author/Creator: McHenry, James (1753-1816) Place Written: Fayetteville, Maryland Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 23 October 1791 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 22.9 x 18.7 cm. Order a Copy

Requests a foreign appointment in Europe. Hopes the sea voyage will restore his health. Remarks that he does not want to deprive James Madison of the post, if he or another qualified person desires it. Hopes Jefferson will recommend him to President Washington. Also discusses shipping and commerce with Britain, relaying information from the debate in the Maryland legislature, of which McHenry was then a member. Docketed by Jefferson

James McHenry was Secretary of War under John Adams.
Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

McHenry, James, 1753-1816
Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826
Madison, James, 1751-1836
Washington, George, 1732-1799

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