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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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12 April 1866

Maitland, William G., 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bell Maitland

Grier writes to Bell from Vassar College in Poughkeepsie. Reports he is doing well in his business studies and received high scores on his examinations. Says he goes to Sunday School, Preaching and Class Meeting every Sunday. Inquires about mother.

GLC03523.10.188

circa 11 March 1783

Putnam, Rufus, 1738-1824

Manuscript letter

Title: [Rufus Putnam's examination "of certain anonymous letters" leading to officers' discontent]

Pertains to the Newburgh Petition and Conspiracy. General Putnam writes an open letter "to the Officers in the Army" expressing reservations about officers' plan to obtain back pay and other concessions from Congress. Urges them not to threaten or wage "War against the community" or Congress. Instructs the officers not to persuade Congress by negative means, noting "...having once made a Separation between the Civil and Military power, between Congress & her Army, you have then passed the Rubicon." Argues that the men will have to remain in the field until all debts are discharged, if…

GLC02437.10105

17 September 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Knox, Commander at West Point, encloses a weekly return of troops (see GLC02437.10140). Reports that he appointed a board to inspect the "decrepit and infirm," to determine those who were unfit for service. Sixty-one soldiers were deemed unfit for service, and Knox asks for Washington's approval to discharge these men with a pension. Comments on cannons and military stores. Knox's retained draft.

GLC02437.10139

30 September 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Knox, Commander at West Point, writes, "A Report has been brought by the Garrison, that you have passed the river at Dobb's [Dobbs Ferry]- It would be unnecessary to say how much this mortifies me, but the urgency of your affairs, has undoubtedly been so great as to oblige you to pass as unnoticed." Relates that he was unaware that the salary given to previous commanders at West Point was withdrawn when he took command. Requests from Lincoln, Secretary at War, the same compensation as his predecessors, noting "Certainly I have expended as much as any of them, and I only ask the same…

GLC02437.10151

September 1783

Merlet, H., fl. 1783

Manuscript document signed

Title: List of Canadian refugees drawing provisions at Newburgh under the direction of Major Merlet by order of his Excellency Genl. Washington

Lists names and rank of 35 men and corresponding amounts of rations, men, women, and children (possibly with them). Contains some mathematical figures on docket page.

GLC02437.10152

13 July 1796

Ulmer, George, 1756-1825

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Receipt for Nathan Knight]

Receipt of goods purchased from Knight on Knox's behalf.

GLC02437.06785

23 August 1796

Ulmer, George, 1756-1825

Autograph document signed

Title: [Receipt]

Documents that he received from John Norton ninety dollars worth of a building material of some kind [illegible word; possibly "spar"], which amounts to one third of a contract Norton made with Henry Knox.

GLC02437.06802

24 September 1796-5 November 1796

Laurance, John, 1750-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Copy of GLC02437.06825, with an additional portion, dated 5 November. In this section, Laurance declares that since he has not received a response from Knox, he fears his earlier letter was miscarried, so he is sending a copy to him.

GLC02437.06826

4 October 1796

Waldo, Samuel, fl. 1793-1798

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he understands that a Mr. Anderson will be applying to Knox to purchase some of the Falmouth lands in Maine. Declares that he has sold Anderson some of his land and that Anderson is financially responsible and conscientious, always following his portion of their agreement.

GLC02437.06836

29 October 1796

Gleason, John, fl. 1796-1811

Autograph document signed

Title: [Report upon an excursion up St. George's River]

Describes a trip up the St. Georges River he undertook, at Knox's request, to scout out the different kinds of trees available for lumber.

GLC02437.06850

24 October 1796

Hodgdon, Samuel, 1745-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the arrival of a schooner carrying items Knox was sending to Hodgdon, including spars. Mentions their plans for shipping items by vessel, such as corn, and comments extensively on the shipping industry.

GLC02437.06852

1 November 1796

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Agreement with Miles Cobb]

Copy of GLC02437.06856.

GLC02437.06857

14 November 1796

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Agreement between Christopher Gore and William Hay]

Signature, possibly of Christopher Gore, has been clipped. Also signed by William Hay and by John Trumbull as witness. Contract between the American Christopher Gore, living in London, and William Hay, a London gardener. Enumerates the terms of employment for Hay, as Gore's gardener: specifies that Hay will travel to the United States and work on Gore's land under the supervision of a William Payne.

GLC02437.06868

1 December 1796

Beaumez, Sarah Lyons Flucker, fl. 1784-1801

Autograph letter

Title: to Thomas and Francis Flucker [incomplete]

Writes a loving letter to her sons, who are in the United States while she is abroad. Mentions making living arrangements and forming a circle of acquaintance in Calcutta. Discusses her love for her sons and tells them to listen to their kind uncle [Henry Knox] who is caring for them. Describes India and her experiences there.

GLC02437.06874

23 December 1796

Lohra, Peter, fl. 1796

Printed document

Title: to Henry Knox

Partially printed. Declares that several financial notes of William Bingham's, which have been endorsed by Knox, are unpaid and due to the Bank of the United States. A handwritten note reports that the notes were attached to a creditor of William Duer's, and that is why they have not been paid.

GLC02437.06887

25 December 1796

Waldo, Samuel, fl. 1793-1798

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Received Knox's letter and heard about his and Mrs. Knox's "affliction," but was unable to visit them to comfort them. He and his family send their condolences for the serious blow to the Knox family.

GLC02437.06888