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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.

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31 October 1790

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Jackson acknowledges receipt of Knox's letter of 24 October 1790 and was pleased to learn that Knox had arrived safely in New York. Jackson and others in Boston had received word of a coach accident that severely injured Mrs. Knox and some of their children. "To the astonishment of every body, Governor Bowdoin is yet living," Jackson reports, "for a week past every moment was supposed to be his last." Bowdoin "is a good and valuable man, and his death will be much lamented by his family and the public at large." Jackson comments on the performance of Knox's horse, "Boston," saying that Knox…

GLC02437.04763

7 November 1790

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Acknowledges receipt of Knox's last letter. Tells Knox that he has spoken with the ailing Governor [James] Bowdoin "respecting the Fish, and we have concluded to put on board the first Vessell bound to Philadelphia." Bowdoin died at 4 o'clock that morning. "He had his reason to the last moment." Bowdoin's property left to "Mrs. Temple" will be "put into the hands of the Trustees, and the income only at her command during the life her husband but if she outlives him, it comes into their hands and at her own disposal." Notes he had a visit from Mr. [Sylvanus?] Bourne, but Jackson had no…

GLC02437.04773

14 November 1790

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Acknowledges receipt of Knox's "favor of the [November 7] (inclosing [Samuel] Shaw and [Thomas] Randall's Bill, and Mr. [Sylvanus] Bourne's Note)." Complains of a chronic "disagreeable feeling in my head." To treat this, his doctor "bled me in my right Arm." "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.04777

21 November 1790

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Refers to his last letter (GLC02437.04777) he sent to Knox. Believes "by bleeding and a few Salts" the "destruction in my head is in some measure removed." Informs Knox that he is sending via the Fish Knox's "[wall] Paper" which is now "finished and a most beautiful thing." Mentions he is ready to deal with Sylvanus Bourne regarding their debt issue. The word is that Governor Bowdoin's estate is worth £60,000. Describes in detail how Bowdoin's estate is to be divided. Bowdoin left £400 "to the College."

GLC02437.04779

28 November 1790

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Advised Knox and family to get out of Philadelphia in the summer or be exposed to "the unhealthy climate of that City in the hot Season..." Describes a severe snowstorm that has hit Boston. Mentions that Governor John Hancock is not well and "is not long for this world." Says the Governor's face and legs are frequently swollen. Notes Mr. [Sylvanus] Bourne has delivered all of his papers to Colonel [Benjamin] Hichborn. Says he is interested in hearing how Knox's horse "Boston" is working out for him.

GLC02437.04782

5 December 1790

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Notes he received Knox's letter of 21 November. Says he feels bad that Knox is not that happy in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania but reminds him that he "must not expect all that elegance and convenience that you left in New York." Notes he is sending Knox's [wall]paper to him including a bill that will sail out on a ship the following day. Comments that the weather continues to be severely cold and a man was found frozen to death. Looks to Knox to give one of his friends a government appointment. Says the friends and family of "Lt. Foule" are looking to pick up his effects and his pay.

GLC02437.04790

12 December 1790

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Complains about the increased distance between them but says if they "continue to write on Sundays, we shall hear from each other the middle of every week." Worries Knox's new and unfurnished house might cause illnesses in his family during this time of year. Discusses Knox's wallpaper and the severe weather in Boston. Mentions that [Sylvanus] Bourne "is choosen Fed-Rep for the County of Plymouth." Says he has found a relief in his head by "bleeding and regular diet." Also expects that "exercise and temperance" will help him fully recuperate. Writes, "by every Vessell from Europe the…

GLC02437.04795

14 December 1790

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Notes this letter will be delivered by Major Samuel Gatchell. Tells Knox that Gatchell is interested in an appointment to one of the cutters ordered by Congress. Attests to Gatchell's "reputation and honor."

GLC02437.04796

19 December 1790

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Jackson describe the severe weather and snow that continues to afflict the Boston area. Notes with sadness the news he heard that General Harmar has lost 700 men [fighting Indians] and that "from every quarter an European War appears pretty certain-which I wish might bring out a South American expedition." The canal idea is "much talked of." Jackson advises that Knox write Judge John Lowell on the matter. Jackson is optimistic that enough money can be raised for the project.

GLC02437.04801

5 January 1791

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

General Jackson is happy to have received Secretary of War Knox's letter of 28 December 1790. Mentions a card party he is attending "with a small circle of female friends." "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.04818

9 January 1791

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Expresses his joy on finally hearing from Knox: "a Lover never received a Letter from his Mistress with half the pleasure that I received yours of the 28th [of December]." Talks about Knox's wallpaper and the trial of Knox's "Coachman." Jackson's news includes "a confirmation that the dispute between England and Spain is made up.-this comes by a ship which arrived here yesterday from Halifax." Jackson is disappointed that there won't be a war. Jackson did not accept an appointment to the militia because he is waiting for the one that Governor Bowdoin granted him before he died. Jackson is…

GLC02437.04820

16 January 1791

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes Knox's business with Mr. [Sylvanus] Bourne has been settled. Says they celebrated "the 11th of February as the Presidents birthday but we have been told, that is not the proper day, as we intend to Feast this year on the same occasion, I wish you to inform me...which is the most proper the 11th or the 22nd." Mentions that the "General [Josiah] Harmar affair has caused much conversation, with many severe reflections, but his military friends have in some measure supported him - I believe it has been an unhappy affair. I hope he will be able to vindicate himself."

GLC02437.04831

23 January 1791

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes, "General Harmar's letter of the 23d of November as publish'd in the papers, has relieved the minds of many, and the people are now less severe in the observations on his conduct." Says Captain John Hobby has written him seeking an appointment in the new militia. Believes Hobby is "one of the best of Officers, and is a Man of activity & integrity, and will do honor to any appointment." Also mentions John Tracy's desire for an appointment. From what he knows, Tracy is an honorable man with a good family. Acknowledges that the clamors for appointments must be challenging for Knox…

GLC02437.04835

30 January 1791

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that Governor John Hancock "deliver'd a lengthy speech to both houses, it was a very good one, and well received, the question has frequently been asked, who wrote it." Mentions when Samuel Sewall took his seat in the Massachusetts legislature he was rejected from all quarters of the House "because he was a district Judge of the United States." A debate took place and Sewall's supporters included William Eustis and James Bowdoin, but they were in the minority. Writes, "many good Federalists are sorry that Judge Sewall made a question of this business." Talks about the favorable…

GLC02437.04841

1725/07/03

Letter

Title: to Barnardus Holthuysen re: profitable trade with the "far" Indians

The manuscript describes a profitable fur trade with the far Indians, which the writer thinks exceeds any profit made by the French in Canada. The first half of the document is written in Dutch. Address leaf and docket on verso.

GLC03107.04904