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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.

Anderson, Robert (1805-1871) to Francis W. Pickens re: firing on supply vessel [with portrait]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01351 Author/Creator: Anderson, Robert (1805-1871) Place Written: Fort Sumter, South Carolina Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1861/01/09 Pagination: 1 p. : engraving ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

"A true copy" - attestation by Anderson. (Souvenir copy). Written after Oct. 1861 (and before Feb. 1863). The U.S.S. Star of the West had been fired upon. With small engraved portrait of Anderson.

His Excellency F. W. Pickens,
Governor of the State of South Carolina
Sir:
Two of your batteries fired, this morning upon an unarmed vessel bearing the flag
of my Government. As I have not been notified that war has been declared by S. Carolina against the Govt of the U. States, I cannot but think that this hostile act was committed without your sanction or authority. Under that hope, and that alone, did I refrain from opening fire upon your batteries.
I have the honor, therefore, respectfully to ask whether the above mentioned act, one, I believe, without a parallel in the history of our Country, or of any other civilized government, was committed in obedience of your instructions, and to notify you, if it be not disclaimed, that I must regard it as an act of war, and that I shall not, after a reasonable time for the return of my messenger, permit army vessels to pass within range of the guns of my Fort.
In order to save, as far as in my power, the shedding of blood, I beg that you will have due notification given of this, my decision to all concerned.
Hoping, however, that your answer may be such as will justify a further continuance of forbearance on my part,
Fort Sumter S.C. } I have the honor to be
Jany. 9. 1861-} very Respectfully
yr. obt. Servt.
A true copy Robert Anderson
Robert Anderson Major U.S.A. Comdg
Brig. Gen. U.S.A.

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