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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.

Heathcote, Caleb (1665-1721) Sworn testimony of Robert Livingston regarding Mr. Russell

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03107.00943 Author/Creator: Heathcote, Caleb (1665-1721) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Manuscript document signed Date: 16 November 1712 Pagination: 1p. + docket 32.2 x 20.6 cm Order a Copy

In the testimony, Livingston swears that in 1710 he took a man named Mr. Russell with him to his Manor, at the request of James due Pre. During the course of the journey, it became clear that Mr. Russell was "delirious & out of his Right Senses," and it was thus decided to send him back to New York. It was then charged that Mr. due Pre recommended using Mr. Russell as an enslaved person. However, Livingston swears that Mr. due Pre never said such a thing, and rather treated Mr. Russell as if he were ill, with the greatest care and kindness.

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