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.

Thornton, William to William Eaton re: cover letter on relations with Algiers and Barbary pirates

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06304.02 Author/Creator: Thornton, William Place Written: Washington Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1805/08/13 Pagination: 1 p. 25 x 20.3 cm Order a Copy

Eaton was American naval agent at Tripoli. Calls the enclosed document (.01) a "Holy Roll." He writes in part "I inclose you the Blessing & mysteries revealed to the chief maiabout Philosopher, astronomer, soothsayer & magician of the west."

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