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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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27 May 1777

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes to Henry, his brother. Discusses unfounded accusations that he, William, [stole?] a pair of pistols from Edmund Randolph. Writes, "Now to come to the matter which ingrosses all my tho'ts, that of entring the army..." Discusses raising funds pertaining to a previous verbal agreement he made with Henry. Refers to business ventures (including investment in a privateer), a recent sale, and the Newbury Privateer. Appears to harbor intentions of joining Henry (then in Morristown, New Jersey).

GLC02437.00605

May 1777

Manuscript document

Title: [Invoice of items bought by Jonathan Hasting at London book store]

Includes five thousand quills, seals, wafers, and loggerheads. Knox's business was called the "London Book Store."

GLC02437.00606

1 June 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Written in Camp Middlebrook. Writes, "I am well and love you infinitely." Complains of the heat, hoping he has hinted enough so that Lucy will send his summer clothes. Mentions a skirmish with the enemy 31 May in which ten men were "cut to pieces."

GLC02437.00607

4 June 1777

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Comments on his recent sickness, noting that "by riding out often, eating no animal food, & by drinking nothing of a spiritous kind... I have been sensibly losing flesh to a great degree." Complains of the high prices charged for books he is procuring (William was in charge of Henry Knox's bookstore). Has had difficulty procuring saddle cloths for Henry. As in letters from 3 June and 27 May, William awaits approval to join Henry. William has raised enough money to cover his expenses, and hopes to travel to Henry's location in Morristown, New Jersey, with Colonel Crane (possibly John…

GLC02437.00609

12 June 1777

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Replies to his brother's "very affectionate but too short Epistle..." Has sold most of the stock of Henry's bookstore, which he operated in Henry's absence. Writes, "I would not justify your keeping the Store open longer than the time I mention if I were going to tarry here or anywhere else, as the profits would hardly pay the rent of the Store..." Awaits approval to join Henry in New Jersey.

GLC02437.00611

12 June 1777

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Repeats news he mentioned in a letter from 8 June. Discusses the capture of several British ships with Hessians on board, and asks if he can enlist some of them for service. Comments on various ships, and mentions receiving money from Henry's brother William for Henry's share in the Newbury, apparently a privateer. Notes that Samuel Bradstreet has been accused of being a Tory, and Doctor Boyle is to be sent out of the country. Declares, "if the Court does not do something for us, we shall never raise out Regt. it is not money that will get the men... money is as plenty as dirt- there is…

GLC02437.00612

19 June 1777

Jarvis, Samuel G., fl. 1777-1794

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Apologizes for not writing Knox sooner. Reports that he sent Knox wine the previous Sunday. Writes, "I think it impossible my Dear Friend that our Country can be so ungratefull as to put a foreigner over your Head but should they be so foolish & unjust you have Friends at Home that will study to make your life happy... if we are to be directed by Frenchmen, fare well Liberty..."

GLC02437.00613

19 June 1777

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Lucy writes a love letter to her husband: "Is it possible, is there a dawn of hope, may I expect to be again blessed with him who forms a part of my very soul, whose presence I esteem the greatest good that this world can afford." Dreads that General "De Coudier" will accept an artillery appointment (a reference to du Coudray). Refers to Lucy, their daughter, who is unwell. Mentions a wagon she sent to Knox with "Maderia" (Madeira wine), sugar, green tea, chocolate, pepper, brandy sweet meats, "a very elegant black silk coat lined with white," breeches, and other items.

GLC02437.00614

19 June 1777

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the possibly appointment of French officer Philippe Tronson du Coudray in charge of artillery (Knox's post). Writes "...I think the circumstance of having a foreign officer, who neither speaks our language nor can possibly be acquainted with our manners & customs with his being a foreigner must be a sufficient counterballance for every other inconvenience in not confirming his appointment to the Artillery." Expects Henry to leave the military if du Coudray receives the appointment. Will try to procure lemon juice for Henry. Promises, "I shall suspend my entring the Service…

GLC02437.00615

21 June 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Begins with expressions of his love for Lucy, his wife. Describes his devotion to his country, the only thing that keeps him from Lucy. Discusses possible enemy movement and location. Praises his troops. Writes, "With the blessing of Heaven I have great hopes in the cause- of this Campaign that we shall do something clever..." Refers to Silas Deane and the possible appointment of Phillipe du Coudray at the head of Continental artillery: "the Congress ... have resolved that Mr Dean has exceeded his Commission and that they cannot satisfy his treaty with Mr. DeCoudier..."

GLC02437.00616

21 June 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Jackson

Written at Camp Middlebrook. Replies to an earlier request from Colonel Jackson to enlist Hessians from a captured British ship: "I have not mentioned to the General your request to be permitted to enlist some of [the Hessians], it is so repugnant to the good of the service and your own reputation..." Discusses General William Howe's recent movements, and General John Sullivan's Continental force in Princeton, New Jersey. Is confused by the movements of the British. Assumed they intended to march to Philadelphia, but they instead fortified their position at Middlebrook, New Jersey. Notes…

GLC02437.00617

29 June 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Written at Camp Middlebrook. Knox writes, "Pity it is that lovers so exceedingly attached to each other as we are should be separated by the horrors of War." Discusses Lord Sterling's movement at Amboy (Perth Amboy, New Jersey) and Westfield, New Jersey. Expects the British to attack on the North River (the Hudson).

GLC02437.00618

30 June 1777

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Opens with, "Did my Harry let the 23rd of this month pass by unnoticed or did it occur to his mind that it was the anniversary of his wedding day..." Reflects upon her happiness when they were first married, and states, "instead of spending our lives together- how far and how long have we been asunder-" Refers to the possible appointment of Phillipe du Coudray at the head of Continental artillery. Notes that Billy, Knox's brother William, wishes to enter the army.

GLC02437.00619

1 July 1777

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Hancock

Knox writes to Hancock, President of Continental Congress. Asks if [Phillippe] du Coudray has been appointed to command the artillery. Declares, "I wish to know of Congress whether this information be true, if it is, I beg the favor of a permission to Retire, and that a proper certificate for that purpose be sent me immediately."

GLC02437.00620

14 July 1777

Gray, James, fl. 1777

Letter

Title: to Theodore Parsons

Later copy. Reports on the Continental evacuation of Ticonderoga: "As to the particulars of the retreat of the Army, I am not at present able to communicate,- thus much as to myself I can say, that I have lost all my Baggage of every kind except what I have now on, which is the condition every one is in who left Ticonderoga-" Expects British General John Burgoyne to advance on Albany. Also expects reinforcement of 3,000 men from General [John] Sullivan. Reports that his force, at Fort Edward, consists of 10,000 men. Gives an account of his retreat from Skeensboro (present day Whitehall,…

GLC02437.00623

17 July 1777

Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Knox's wife Lucy writes, "... I am resolved nothing shall prevent my coming to you early in September but your positive refusal, in which case, I will try to be as indifferent as I shall then think you are." Reports that Knox's brother William is on his way to join Henry in New Jersey. Worries that Knox will "fall into the usual error of absent lovers- that indifference will take place of that refined affection, which you have entertained for me..." From a family letter, Lucy learned that Thomas Flucker, her father, "enjoys his three hundred a year as Secretary of the province." Asks…

GLC02437.00625