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 Jared Sparks

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC08929 Author/Creator: Madison, James (1751-1836) Place Written: Montpellier, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 5 October 1830 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

Sends a copy of a draft of a farewell speech (not included) George Washington had prepared "when he meditated a retirement at the expiration of his first term," and its relationship to his "Farewell Address." Also discusses authorship of the "Federalist Papers." Integral leaf with docketing. Sends part of a letter James Monroe (not included) and, on behalf of his wife, thanks Sparks for a book.

Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

Madison, James, 1751-1836
Sparks, Jared, 1789-1866

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