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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.

Smith, Gerrit (1797-1874) Woman suffrage above human law. Letter from Gerrit Smith.

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04717.56 Author/Creator: Smith, Gerrit (1797-1874) Place Written: Peterboro, New York Type: Printed letter Date: 15 August 1873 Pagination: 2 p. ; 36.2 x 22.2 cm. Order a Copy

Smith writes to Anthony, the legendary activist and reformer, discussing women's right to vote. Sends Anthony money to pay a fine, and declares that if she chooses not to pay the fine, she should use the money at her discretion "to promote the cause of woman suffrage."

Smith, a politician from New York, served as a U.S. Representative from 1853-1854. He was a noted philanthropist and social reformer active in anti-slavery campaigns and women's rights.

Smith, Gerrit, 1797-1874
Anthony, Susan B. (Susan Brownell), 1820-1906

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