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.

Kirby, Edmund (1794-1849) to Silas Wright

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC08977 Author/Creator: Kirby, Edmund (1794-1849) Place Written: Brownville, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 26 May 1846 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 25.5 x 20.5 cm. Order a Copy

Asking Governor Wright to approve his plan to raise and command a New York regiment in the Mexican War. Claims he can raise enough men for his own regiment, is experienced in command, and has already "asked the sanction of the Secretary of War and President to my tender of service to yourself." Promises "my faculties would be devoted with zeal to the endeavor to render the corps of New York volunteers a credit to the Empire State."

Silas Wright was the Governor of New York, and had previously served as a Congressman and Senator.
Edmund Kirby was a Colonel during the Mexican War, and had previously served in a number of different military capacities.

Wright, Silas, 1795-1847
Kirby, Edmund, 1794-1849

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