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.

Low, William W. (1823-1877) to John B. Marchand

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02680.20 Author/Creator: Low, William W. (1823-1877) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20-21 February 1864 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 25 x 19.2 cm. Order a Copy

Relays a message from "the Admiral" asking Marchand to forward certain mails and discusses a trading ship that is overcharging for its goods. Docket notes "Reporting the 'Pelican States' violation of Revenue law." Written on board the U.S.S. Octorara, which Low commanded during the Union blockade of Mobile, Alabama.

William W. Low was a U.S. Naval officer, and the Captain of the U.S.S. Octorana.
John B. Marchand was an officer in the United States Navy. He captained the steamer "Memphis" during the Paraguay expedition, served as Captain of the U.S.S. Lackawanna during the Civil War, later promoted to Commodore.

Low, William Whittemore, 1823-1877
Marchand, John Bonnett, 1808-1875

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