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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.

Gorham, Nathaniel (1738-1796) to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03727 Author/Creator: Gorham, Nathaniel (1738-1796) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 16 December 1787 Pagination: 1 p. ; 30.5 x 18.3 cm. Order a Copy

Writes that he is "very anxious to hear from Delaware Pensylvania [sic] & Jersey," in reference to whether those states ratified the constitution. Describes the situation in Massachusetts, "The prospects rather brightens here. There is one hundred good Men chosen in this neighborhood & the other parts of the Sea Coast - a great number of Towns choose tomorrow among which are such a number of good ones that I think we may count on 50 members of the right sort. That added to the former with the few good ones that will come from the three Western Counties - I think will secure the Point - you must impress upon Mr. King the absolute necessity of his being here at the time - " Ends by stating, "it is uncertain whether Mr [Elbridge] Gerry will be chosen tomorrow or not." Noted as written in Charles Town, which is now a part of Boston, Massachusetts.

Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Gorham, Nathaniel, 1738-1796

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