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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.

Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865) Authority to affix the seal to letter to Pope Pius IX [credence for Rufus King]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05526 Author/Creator: Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865) Place Written: Washington Type: Document signed Date: 1863/11/16 Pagination: 1 p. + docket 25.5 x 20.1 cm Order a Copy

Rufus King's credence as ambassador to the Holy See.

Notes: Written on pre-printed document with spaces to fill in relevant details. Not in Basler.

I hereby authorize and direct the Secretary of State to affix the Seal of the United States to {in Lincoln's hand: the envelope of a letter addressed to His Holiness Pope Pius IX [Mr. Rufus King's credence]}
dated this day, and signed by me: and for so doing this shall be his warrant.
[in Lincoln's hand: Abraham Lincoln]
Washington, [in Lincoln's hand: 16th November, 1863.]

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