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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.

King, Rufus (1755-1827) to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03375 Author/Creator: King, Rufus (1755-1827) Place Written: Hartford, Connecticut Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 13 December 1786 Pagination: 2 p. ; 23.4 x 19.4 cm. Order a Copy

Reports that [Daniel] Shays disbanded his party on Sunday & Monday last. King reports that the stageman he is traveling with saw the disbanded insurgents. The stageman said they seemed crestfallen; "some of them say they will go no more, others that they are not yet tired of the business." Includes other information provided by the stageman, such as the fact that Shays will stay at Worcester until he receives word from the Governor. Postscript makes a reference to what appears to be the dispute over the New York-Massachusetts border. Claims there is a "prospect of compromising."

Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

[draft]
Hartford 13 Dec. 1786
Dr Sir
Shays disbanded his party on Sunday & Monday last - the stageman passed them in detachments on the road yesterday and to Day, returning home rather chap fallen - some of them say they will go no more, other that they are not yet tired of the business -
The stageman informs, and his is the only information, that the returning Insurgents say that one of the Days has gone to Boston with a memorial &c &c and that Shays will [2] will remain at Worcester till he receives a Reply from the Governor - they add that Ward & Gill have given their paroles to deliver themselves into the Hands of Mr. Shays, if the Govr. does not liberate Mattius Page & Parker -
Nothing certain can be collected expect that Hunger & cold compelled the Insurgents to separate -
Farewel RKing
We have a prospect of compromising with NYork, I hope to see you by the 21st -

King, Rufus, 1755-1827
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Shays, Daniel, 1747-1825

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