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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.

Todd, Gabriel [Petition of a free black to become a slave of Edward D. Martin]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03840 Author/Creator: Todd, Gabriel Place Written: Polk Co., Texas Type: Letter signed Date: 20 March 1860 Pagination: 1 p. + docket 31.3 x 19.8 cm Order a Copy

Petition to the Texas Court. Writes that "petition further represents to your Honor that he desires to avail himself of the law permitting him to select a master and become a slave; and believing Edward D. Martin, a citizen... to be a proper person...." For related documents see GLC08955, GLC06375, and GLC09123.

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