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.

Madison, James (1751-1836) to George A. Otis

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC08928 Author/Creator: Madison, James (1751-1836) Place Written: Montpellier, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 29 December 1820 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

Thanks Otis for the copy of a translation of Carlo Botta's History of the War of Independence, Vol. 2 (Storia della guerra della indipendenza degli Stati Uniti d'America, in Italian). Discusses the translation, noting that "Of the original work the high character seems to be sufficiently established." Indicates that a recent letter he wrote was not for publication, but permits Otis to use as he sees fit. Tells Otis that Andrew Stephenson of Richmond, Virginia requests a subscription of "your volumes as they come out."

Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

Madison, James, 1751-1836
Otis, George A., fl. 1820-1867

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