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.

Breckinridge, John C. (John Cabell) (1821-1875) to Ernie and Morton

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05007.01 Author/Creator: Breckinridge, John C. (John Cabell) (1821-1875) Place Written: Lexington, Kentucky Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 30 August 1860 Pagination: 1 p. ; 20.1 x 16.2 cm. Order a Copy

Vice President and Presidential candidate Breckinridge updates two individuals from New York City on his progress regarding an upcoming speech. States "I have not as yet even made a note ... It would be better, perhaps, if we were more accustomed in the west to carefull written preparation."

Breckinridge, from Kentucky, served as Vice President of the United States 1857-1861, as United States Senator 1861-1862, and as a brigadier general in the Confederate Army. He was an unsuccessful candidate in the 1860 Presidential election.

Breckinridge, John C. (John Cabell), 1821-1875

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