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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.

Bernard, Francis (1712-1779) Francis Bernard, Esq.; Captain-General and Governor in Chief, in and over His Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts-Bay in New England, and Vice-Admiral of the same. A Proclamation for a general Fast.

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01450.534 Author/Creator: Bernard, Francis (1712-1779) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Broadside Date: 1761/04/08 Pagination: 1 broadside ; 40.6 x 32 cm. Order a Copy

A proclamation in the name of Francis Bernard, Governor of Massachusetts Bay, which announces a day of fasting during the French & Indian War. The top of the document is marked with a printed Royal engraving that contains the notation "Dieu et Mondroit", meaning 'God and my right'. The engraving recognizes King George III and his divine right. The document was printed in Boston by John Draper. On verso there is a handwriten note "Fast April 22, 1761" in the upper right corner.

Bernard, Francis, Sir, 1712-1779
Oliver, A. (Andrew), 1731-1799
Draper, John, 1702-1762

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