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.

Madison, James (1751-1836) to William Pinkney

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04924 Author/Creator: Madison, James (1751-1836) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Letter signed Date: 4 April 1808 Pagination: 8 p. : docket ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

A long letter discussing foreign affairs with France and Britain and the Chesapeake affair. Makes reference to copies of many letters sent along with this one (not included). Asks Pinkney, the American minister to Britain, to continue his "interpositions in behalf of our impresses or detained seamen" and to continue working to abolish the practice of impressment. Also comments on policy toward British deserters and the protracted session of Congress, due to discussion of augmenting the army and relaxing the Embargo Act. Half of page three, all of page four, and part of page seven are in cipher.

Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

Madison, James, 1751-1836
Pinkney, William, 1764-1822

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