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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.

Smith, James Youngs (1809-1876) [Proclamation from the Governor of Rhode Island]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC08441.04 Author/Creator: Smith, James Youngs (1809-1876) Place Written: Providence, Rhode Island Type: Document Date: 16 March 1864 Pagination: 1 p. ; 35.4 x 21.7 cm. Order a Copy

Signed in type by Rhode Island Governor Smith. Co-signed in type by Rhode Island Secretary of State John R. Bartlett. Proclamation says a further draft of 200,000 men has been ordered by the president. Hopes the quota can be filled by voluntary enlistment. Governor says the proclamation was put forth by the state to be "relieved of all apprehension of a draft, and pursue their avocations without anxiety." Image of the state seal of Rhode Island, which consists of an anchor with the word "hope" above it, is at the top. Was previously folded.

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