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.

Anthony, Philip (b. ca. 1800) to Ford, Heath & Company

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02210.01 Author/Creator: Anthony, Philip (b. ca. 1800) Place Written: Little Rock, Arkansas Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 9 March 1846 Pagination: 12 p. ; 25.1 x 20.1 cm. Order a Copy

Anthony discusses the payment of interest on bonds and business ventures with Ford, Heath, & Company, a British firm. Explaining the economic situation in Arkansas, Anthony states "Liberal loans were made upon long times payable in installments with interest. Revulsions in the monetary world & other misshaps, brought about general distress in the community- debtors who had more regard for their pecuniary safety then their moral responsibility sold their lands, or if incumbered, abandoned them and ran off their slaves & other effects to Texas, thus leaving large sums due the Banks & individuals unpaid." Cites Arkansas natural features and possibilities for business in mining, agriculture, and other ventures. Suggests that Ford, Heath and Company create an extension in America. Offers numerous proposals regarding the creation of a canal, trade and transport, managing the company's bonds, and other possible building projects. Wishes to act as the company's agent in Arkansas. In a post script, states "this project is almost entirely my own conception & I believe not a single man in the state has even had the most distant idea of it ... certainly such a thing as a canal has certainly never been spoken of."

Anthony, Philip, fl. 1846
Ford, Heath, & Co., fl. 1846

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources