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.

Varnum, Joseph Bradley (1751-1821) Report of the Committee Appointed on so much of the President's Message of the 15th December last...

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04626.02 Author/Creator: Varnum, Joseph Bradley (1751-1821) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Pamphlet Date: 7 February 1803 Pagination: Pm 25 x 20.2 cm Order a Copy

Title continues: "As Related to the Militia Institution of the United States." Argues that when a 1792 Act (GLC01959) establishing a uniform militia is carried out by the states it will provide complete national defense. Not all states have carried out the prescriptions of that act. Submits a resolution requesting that President Jefferson write a letter to the state governors impressing upon them the importance of fully participating in the militia system. This pamphlet accompanied Jefferson's letter (GLC04626.01).

Notes: The French purchase of the Louisiana Territory from the Spanish outraged many Americans who feared having too strong a neighbor. In response to growing concerns from the western states, Jefferson, with Congressional approval, called for the state governors to raise a militia of 80,000 men.

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

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