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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.

Baily, Joseph (1810-1885) to Edwin McMasters Stanton

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05512 Author/Creator: Baily, Joseph (1810-1885) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter Date: 2 October 1866 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 47.1 x 20.3 cm. Order a Copy

Working draft of letter of Baily, a former U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania, to the Secretary of War Stanton regarding President Andrew Johnson's reconstruction policies. Informs Stanton, Secretary of War that "the union party at this time is stronger and more determined and resolute than it ever was; and will be carried by the majorities ... The people also demand equality of representation in Congress ... will this be the case if the rebel states are admitted with out a change in the Constitution?" Argues that citizens of the North insist on ratification of a proposed amendment that would affect their representation in Congress, stating "if it is not ratified the people will demand more through the next congress [...] I wish, from my heart the president was fully aware of public opinion in the north [...] the union people [...] gave him their votes for the second office in their gift, and I earnestly assure you they would hail with delight the auspicious moment that would place him and them in unity of sentiment and action in the adoption of measures so dear to them." Docketed as a copy.

During the 1866 congressional election, Johnson undertook a public speaking tour to increase his public and political support.

Baily, Joseph, 1810-1885
Stanton, Edwin M. (Edwin McMasters), 1814-1869
Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

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