Special Collections

Laredo Morning Times | lmtonline.com | Sunday, February 16, 2020 | E3 50 Anniversary Benjamin Franklin, Abra- ham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, George Washington and more. “I could show you a re- ally nice photocopy of the Benjamin Franklin letter, but if you and I are standing in front of a letter that you know he touched, doesn’t it feel different,” Hatcher said. “It inspires you to want to know, what was he writing about.” The letter is part of an ex- hibit featuring multiple let- ters and documents written during Colonial America. The documents are authentic and showcase pictures of the authors. From King George III to Thomas Jefferson, the exhibit hosts a plethora of historical value. The exhibit also show- cases a more in-depth look into these historical figures in a way not seen in an aver- age textbook. According to Hatcher, during the time of the Civil War, a man was asked to take a loyalty oath to Presi- dent Abraham Lincoln but declined. He was put into custody, and in order to get him out, his wife needed to post bond. Unfortunately, she could not afford it. She reached the bond amount with the help of oth- ers, but then she needed as- sistance in creating the bond. When she had trouble form- ing it, she went directly to President Lincoln and asked Group photo during the donation by the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra Jeanette Hatcher retrieves a first edition Missionary Adventures in Texas and Mexico A letter written by Benjamin Franklin