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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.

Washington, George (1732-1799) to Samuel Washington re: death of brother Charles, Samuel's father

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07530 Author/Creator: Washington, George (1732-1799) Place Written: Mount Vernon Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 22 September 1799 Pagination: 1 p. 24.6 x 19.3 cm Order a Copy

"By this event, you have become the guardian of your mother; and... the father, of your father's family; and by care, industry & sobriety will endeavor I hope to merit the appellation of one."

Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

Mount Vernon Sep: 22d. 1799
Dear Sir,
Your letter, announcing the death of my Brother, came to hand last night.- One from Colo. Ball, informing me of that event, arrived the evening before. -
I very sincerely condole with your mother and the family on this occasion. - But as death, in this case; was regular in its approaches; and evident, long before it happened; she, and all of you, must have been prepared for the stroke. - Of course, though painful, it must have fallen much lighter on that account. -
By this event, you have become the Guardian of your mother; and as it were, the father, of your fathers family; - and by care, industry & sobriety will [inserted: endeavour I hope to] merit the appellation of one.-
Your Aunt has been, and still is, much indisposed, but unites in best wishes for yr. mother - self - & family, with your sincere frd. and -

Affectionate Uncle
Go: Washington

Mr Saml Washington

Washington, George, 1732-1799

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