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.

Clay, Henry (1777-1852) to James E. Harvey

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04352.01 Author/Creator: Clay, Henry (1777-1852) Place Written: Ashland, Kentucky Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 18 April 1848 Pagination: 2 p. : address ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

Confidentially discusses his candidacy for president in the election of 1848 and his prospects for gaining votes from certain states. Gives a detailed explanation of his calculation of potential votes, should he receive the nomination from the Whigs. Mentions comments people have made about him. Address leaf is in Clay's hand.

Harvey was a Washington news reporter who was later appointed the U.S. Minister to Portugal by Abraham Lincoln.

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852
Harvey, James E., 1820-?

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