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.

Douglass, Frederick (1818-1895) to N. C. Corbin

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05717 Author/Creator: Douglass, Frederick (1818-1895) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 15 November 1880 Pagination: 1 p. ; 24.9 x 19.8 cm. Order a Copy

Douglass, serving as a United States Marshal, replies to a letter from Colonel Corbin sent 12 November 1880. Corbin invited Douglass to serve on Inaugural Ceremony committees (for the inauguration of President James Garfield, to be held 4 March 1881). Corbin informed Douglass that the ceremonies will require reception, military encampment, music, recreation, and other committees. Douglass declines, stating that because of custom requiring U.S. Marshals to serve a prominent role in the ceremonies, he will wait until he is assigned a role by those in charge. Written on United States Marshal's Office stationery.

Douglass, Frederick, 1818-1895
Corbin, N.C., fl. 1880

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources