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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.

Taylor, Zachary (1784-1850) to William Davenport

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05285 Author/Creator: Taylor, Zachary (1784-1850) Place Written: Fort Hardee, Florida Type: Letter signed Date: 21 March 1839 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 24 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

Notes Davenport's meeting with Florida Governor Richard Call, but wishes he had gotten definitive information on the location of Seminoles "who lately committed murders near Tallahassee." Reveals his frustration over the Seminole Indians style of guerrilla warfare and their ability to elude the Americans in the everglades. Explains plans to alter American tactics, to canvas central Florida and flush the Seminoles out. Discusses the legislature's efforts to raise additional militia soldiers and his hopes for an end to the war and safety in Florida. Comments on his plans in east Florida, his approval of Davenport's plans "in relation to the fugitive Creeks," and his desire to increase efforts and achieve success by the upcoming summer. Taylor's efforts were unsuccessful in completely removing the Seminoles and he resigned in April, 1840.

Taylor, Zachary, 1784-1850
Davenport, William, -1858
Call, Richard Keith, 1791-1862

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