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.

Henry, Patrick (1736-1799) to Edward Telfair

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06406 Author/Creator: Henry, Patrick (1736-1799) Place Written: Prince Edward County, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 14 October 1790 Pagination: 1 p. : address ; 27.9 x 18.4 cm. Order a Copy

Defends states' rights. In reference to the passage of the Indian Trade and Intercourse Act in July, 1790, he argues that if the Congress becomes the arbiter of land titles, the states' sovereignty will be diminished and all "landed property" will be in jeopardy. Alludes to the Yazoo land deal the two men were involved in, which was affected by the legislation.

Henry, who had declined to serve as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, was a leading anti-Federalist. Edward Telfair was the Governor of Georgia and had been a signer of the Articles of Confederation.

Henry, Patrick, 1736-1799
Telfair, Edward, 1735-1807

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