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.

Smilie, John (1741 - 1812) to John Langdon

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 #: GLC05899.03 Author/Creator: Smilie, John (1741 - 1812) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Letter signed Date: 22 May 1812 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket : free frank ; 24.2 x 19.8 cm. Order a Copy

Cosigned by William H. Crawford and Charles Cutts. On behalf of the Republican members of Congress, informs Langdon of his nomination for the vice presidency. Comments on the difficulties facing the nation, claiming that "In this awful period of arms, & calamities, when the whole system of nature appears to be convulsed, the Republic has a right to the service of its citizens." Urges him to consent to the nomination. Langdon declined the nomination.

Smilie, John, 1741-1812
Crawford, William Harris, 1772-1834
Cutts, Charles, 1769-1846
Langdon, John, 1741-1819

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources