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.

King, Rufus, 1755-1827 to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03899 Author/Creator: King, Rufus, 1755-1827 Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 16 June 1788 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket ; 32.3 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

King, who had served as part of the Massachusetts ratification convention, discusses the government of Massachusetts. Writes, "Every account must confirm to you the information of the surprising change in this Government- perhaps at no Time has there been more able and honest men in the administration of this State- the conviction of the necessity of good & efficient Government pervades every part of the State, and the Federal Government will be as affectionately supported by the People of this Commonwealth as by any people in the Union…" Comments on the Constitutional ratification conventions in New Hampshire and Virginia. Referring to ratification in New York, writes "The Federalists will have hard work…"

Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

King, Rufus, 1755-1827
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

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