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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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February 6, 1793

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References Henry's letter of 2 February. Mentions that Shaw and Randall sailed on 1 February. Does not know how they made the mistake of drawing the interest on his shares. If Henry wants, he will write to Mr. Smith or another of their agents to have the situation rectified. Mr. Green goes in the packet on Thursday in an attempt to recover property "which has been long litigated on the other side of the water." Green believes Mr. Pinckney will assist him in London. "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.05807

10 February 1793

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports that there are so many people in the market for a house that a place will not remain unrented for more than a day. Believes if one opens up it will be gone by the time Henry would forward the necessary instructions. Forwards a letter from Mr. Brett from Britain. Brett mentioned that "great apprehensions were entertained of disturbances in England." Reports that a large fleet has been ordered to be in readiness. Says the garrison at Frankfurt on Main has been taken by the combined forces of Prussia and Germany. The King of Prussia was present at the battle, which proves he has…

GLC02437.05809

February 12, 1793

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Dined with Cary Ludlow, the father-in-law of Mr. Morton, where he learned that Mrs. Morton was opposed to going into their new house on Broadway. Ludlow said his son-in-law will probably be induced to let it for 350 pounds. Says if Morton can be persuaded to part with it for 300 pounds, it will be a good price in the current market. Relates that he spoke to Mrs. Fleming again about her house, but she is still determined to let it for 400 a year for 3 years. Reports that Isaac Clason, a merchant, is about to buy up Macomb's debt at 5/6 to the pound. Does not see William Duer taking any…

GLC02437.05815

19 February 1793

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports he recently met with Mr. Williamson and Mr. Wadsworth about lands in the "Gennessee Country" of upstate New York. Says farms of 300-500 acres are going for $1.50 per acre. Makes reference to lands that would eventually become Cooperstown and its environs, "those in this state in the neighbourhood of Lake Otsego, have greatly enhanced in value also." Believes the situation in Europe will lead investors to put their money into American lands. Heard several families from the English West Indies have recently bought land. Wants to know if Henry has made arrangements with General…

GLC02437.05824

February 22, 1793

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References Henry's letter of 19 February. Notes he delivered the letter that Henry enclosed for William Duer. States the January packet from Europe arrived yesterday and he saw a letter from Mr. Brett to General Maunsell. The letter stated "every preparation was making for War by England, although hopes were entertained it would not take place." Goes on to say the letter reported that William Pitt "stood on high ground by being strongly supported by Parliament and the people in general." Says Mr. Fox's supporters left him because of his stance on France. Believes Thomas Paine is going to…

GLC02437.05830

6 March 1793

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Has been trying to make an arrangement with Mr. Vaughn's bill for the last 3 or 4 days. Says it will be impossible to cash without the loss of 10 percent. The scarcity of money is making borrowing hard. Asks Henry to send him a United States bank note for $50 so he can pay his debts before going to Philadelphia. Wants to know when Henry will employ Dr. Shippen. Signature has been clipped.

GLC02437.05843

9 April 1793

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports on Mr. Hoffman's inquiries on houses in New York. Says Baron Von Steuben's former house is now occupied by Mr. Stockholm, who operates a button manufactory in the neighborhood. Reports the house advertised by Mr. McEvers at Bloomingdale has been sold to a rich Dutchman. Says John Livingston bought the house previously owned by Colonel Platt. He will not let the house for less than £300 per year. Says the house of Roger Morris is now owned by or at the disposal of Mr. McKenncot, a merchant. A farmer lets two of the rooms in the house and watches over the place. McKenncot is trying…

GLC02437.05867

19 April 1793

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Wanted to write yesterday, but received no word of Wilks' house until after the post left. Mr. Wilks is currently in negotiations with Colonel William Smith either for the purchase or lease of it. Will know the outcome in two or three days. If Smith does not take the house it will be let for £350 per annum. The house also has 50 acres of grounds. Yesterday a ship arrived form Calcutta owned by John Livingston. It contained Indian sugars and muslins. Says the ship and cargo amounts to $50,000. While it did not net Livingston as much as he hoped, "he considers it as so much saved from…

GLC02437.05874

1 May 1793

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References Henry's letter of 27 April. Also delivered the enclosed letter to [Royal] Flint in prison. Agrees with Henry that his best recourse is to move to Maine. Hopes to be able to do so in a few days. Says his mind has been "depressed" lately due to a debt he cannot discharge. If it is paid he can move without any troubles. In reference to what seems like mental illness says "Bailey prescribed a fixed time to my remedies in order to be certain of embracing even the worst circumstances, which time has nearly elapsed, without my experiencing any of those evils which presented themselves to…

GLC02437.05884

17 November 1793

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

References two letters from Henry. Reports that Henry's son, Henry Jackson Knox, arrived safely last evening. He is travelling to Hingham tomorrow or the next day. Says he will write Berkeley Sidney Knox, a man in Jamaica claiming to be a distant relative of Knox and seeking a job (see GLC02437.05938). Notes he "cannot undertake to say any thing more than has already been said upon this subject." Is happy to hear that a group of physicians announced the official abatement of the yellow fever in Philadelphia. Believes the disorder may still be latent and recommends that Henry keep his…

GLC02437.05977

January 24, 1795

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses building a store in the Eastern lands. Notes the establishment would be created to serve the people and to add to "their happiness, ease, & comfort." Describes the traits and qualities the person in charge of the project should possess. Writes, "A young Quaker of good talent or other plain person… possessing honest & virtue principles a good accountant & understanding business..." Also discusses in great length Knox's time as a public servant and where his next place of residence should be. Advises Knox to keep his children close until they marry and suggests which…

GLC02437.06321

January 31, 1795

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Describes his current health problems to his brother. Starts by stating that he had a very black day but is recovering and thanks "the supreme disposer of events for his mercy in pointing out this happy asylum to me." Includes a list of 11 things that are improving his health, such as not smoking or drinking, regular sleeping hours, cleanliness, exercise, "a very tolerable passage of urine instead of great obstruction," and "a considerable degree of Hope instead of despair."

GLC02437.06335

9 July 1789

Knox, William, 1756-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Notes he will be heading to Baltimore, Maryland. Also mentions his disappointment with Congress regarding their decision for removal [it is unspecified as to what removal]. Docket notes 9 July 1790.

GLC02437.09815