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.

Wells, Benjamin Oath of allegiance

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02674.03 Author/Creator: Wells, Benjamin Place Written: Pickens County, Alabama Type: Document signed Date: 9 September 1865 Pagination: 1 p. 6 x 21 cm Order a Copy

A partially printed legal document. Wells signs his allegiance to the "STATE OF ALABAMA" of the United States of America.

"I Benjamin F. Wells do solemnly swear that I will henceforth faithfully support, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, and the Union of States thereunder; and that I will, in like manner, abide by and support all laws and proclamations which have been made during the existing rebellion with reference to the emancipation of slaves. So help me God."

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