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.

Naval Victory obtained by the American Frigate Constitution... [song or poem]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06956 Author/Creator: Place Written: [s.l.] Type: Manuscript Date: 1812 ca. Pagination: 3 p. 31.7 x 19.3 cm Order a Copy

A song or poem commemorating the victory of the U.S.S. Constitution (under Isaac Hull) over the H.M.S. Guerriere on 19 August 1812. Addressed to "Ye tars of Columbia." Although no musical notes are indicated, a refrain "With his doo ra la doo" suggests it was sung to a popular tune. Red mold and water damage have affected the paper.

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