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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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19 January 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Sullivan

Transmits a letter from the Marquis de Lafayette delivered to Knox by the Count de [Moustier], a French Minister. Informs Sullivan, Governor of New Hampshire, that Lafayette wrote the letter "on the supposition of your being in this City and President of Congress." Discusses ratification of the Constitution: "The fact however is that the present system called the confederation has run down... something must be done speedily, or we shall soon be involved in all the horrors of anarchy, and separate state interests..." Notes that if Massachusetts and New Hampshire reject the Constitution, "we…

GLC02437.03765

29 March 1788

Swan, James, 1754-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Refers to his attempts to meet with merchants and manufacturers in France. Writes, "The reason why the French in this Quarter, have not been able to sell their manufrs. as low as the English, I saw in a moment,- there is not that invention & care used as in Great Britain, to save labour- People being plenty they continue to employ them, because they have done it for a long time." Discusses the replacement of human labor with machines in French manufacturing. Notes that the Marquis de Lafayette has offered to write Swan letters of introduction. Hopes his memorial on French and American…

GLC02437.03830

18 April 1788

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Thomas Stoughton

Replies to a letter in which Stoughton informed Knox that Maurice (or Morris) Kelly, one of Knox's servants, recently solicited him for employment; Stoughton refused because Kelly had not obtained a discharge from Knox (refer to GLC02437.03845). Knox confirms that Kelly had asked him for a discharge, but Knox had not granted it due to the short notice. Kelly then informed Knox his child was sick, Knox offered him a discharge, and Kelly left with no notice. Knox will therefore not hire him again.

GLC02437.03844

18 April 1788

Stoughton, Thomas, fl. 1788

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports that Knox's servant, Maurice (or Morris) Kelly, recently solicited him for employment. Refused to accept Kelly's offer without an official discharge and a recommendation of character from Knox, "which [Kelly] assured me you was ready to give him." Notes that he will not keep Kelly without Knox's approbation. Refer to GLC02437.03844 for a draft of Knox's reply.

GLC02437.03845

21 June 1788

Sullivan, John, 1740-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Sullivan, President of the New Hampshire Consittutional ratification convention, reports on the Constitution's progress: "I have the pleasure to inform you that our Convention have this moment adopted the New Constitution..." Address leaf indicates "from Poughkeepsie."

GLC02437.03905

20 October 1788

Sullivan, John, 1740-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Missed the opportunity to visit with Knox when he recently passed through town. Writes, "I join with you in wishes for the success of the new Government am strong in the faith that we shall not be deceived..."

GLC02437.04008

14 December 1788

Sumner, Job, 1754-1789

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Encloses the proposed Constitution of Georgia (not included). Notes that three members from each county are appointed to meet at Augusta in January: "I shall only say, that from the disposition of the People, and in particular that of their members of the Convention, from this County, I think the Constitution will be totally rejected- should this be the Case, we shall then have to make a better one..." Discusses the Articles and the power of the Governor. Comments on relations with American Indians in Georgia: "When we get a permanent Peace with the Indians, and a good Government, I think…

GLC02437.04053

3 January 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Swan

Thanks him for his last letters. Apologizes for not writing to him about private matters, but alludes to the fact that the custom in Europe (where Swan is) is for the post officers to open the mail, so he did not feel comfortable going into detail. Hopes very sincerely that Swan is able to extricate himself from financial difficulty and "avail yourself of the rising prosperity" of the United States. Mentions that he has been in Boston and Swan's wife and children are in perfect health. Discusses the new Constitution of the United States, explaining that the legislatures of New York and…

GLC02437.04068

16 September 1789

Sullivan, John, 1740-1795

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from Exeter, likely in New Hampshire. Refers to Knox's influence in the government, and asks that he uses it to recommend James Wheelock, the brother of the current president of Dartmouth College. Describes Mr. Wheelock's qualities and skills.

GLC02437.04358

15 October 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Swan

Informs Swan of recent Congressional proceedings. Describes the Senate and House of Representatives convening from April to September, and passed revenue and judiciary laws. Adds that Congress plans to reconvene at the end of January.

GLC02437.04389

23 January 1791

Swan, James, 1754-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that "the Count Montmorin, Minister for foreign affairs here, has written Mr. Otto, chargé des affaires auprès le Congrès, to use his influence with the President that the proposals of Schweizer Jeanneret & Co. should be accepted." Discusses plans for America to borrow money from Frenchmen. Notes that plans can now go forward if the terms are as favorable as borrowing from Holland. Continues discussing financial matters related to the Committe of Finance and Schweizer Jeanneret & Co.

GLC02437.04836

27 May 1791

Swan, James, 1754-1830

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Swan says he wrote Knox letters on 27 December 1790 and 23 and 27 January 1791. Mentions new ministers from France arriving in America. Their primary goal is to address the U.S. debt to France. Discusses how they could find 40 million dollars to pay the debt. Claims "The circumstances of the finances of france, render this matter nearer at heart, than when first proposed. The deficiency in the Revenue with the expence, was not then known: it is now severely felt." Says if there ever was a moment the U.S. could help France, this is it. Claims borrowing from Amsterdam is not cheap at the…

GLC02437.04960

1 June 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to John Sullivan

Written by Secreatary of War Knox to General Sullivan. References Sullivan's letter of 30 April. Feels sorry that he was not made aware of Sullivan's son's desire to obtain a military appointment when there were still positions available. Emphasizes that the President of the United States would have been happy "to have into the army the son of so old and gallant a general." Will do his best to recommend Sullivan's son for any appropriate vacancies that become available.

GLC02437.04966

4 June 1791

Swan, James, 1754-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Hoped to already have an answer to a letter he wrote back in December. Says the subject of that letter has taken another turn and he will write in a few days about it. Encloses letters that he hopes Knox will forward to Boston.

GLC02437.04974

23 January 1793

Russell, Thomas, fl. 1793

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written in Russell's hand, but is signed by both Russell and James Sullivan. References a letter they wrote to Knox on 9 December 1792. That letter received no answer, so they are repeating its contents in this letter. They are writing in their capacity as committee members appointed by the directors of the Middlesex Canal Company. The directors are happy that Knox is friendly to their plan. Says they are under "a greater necessity to procure a man who is skilled in the business of Canalling who can point us to the place where under all circumstances, the canal ought to be cut." Heard…

GLC02437.05791

23 July 1793

Sullivan, James, 1744-1808

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks Knox for "recommending the agreeable family of Mr. [Ralph] Izard to our civilities." Wants Knox to deliver an enclosed letter to a Mr. [DeStorts]. Asks the letter to be returned if he has left Philadelphia. Has been absent from Boston for some time, but reports that Mrs. Sullivan saw Sarah Lyon Flucker at the commencement. Says "I combatted for you at Lincoln County and had one Ely who had appeared agt your interest recognized with sureties for his good behavior." "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.05908

9 November 1793

Sullivan, James, 1744-1808

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written and signed by Sullivan and Thomas Russell; they are writing as an appointed committee of the Middlesex Canal Company. Notes they are pleased Knox is friendly toward their plan. They want to know when John Hills "can attend to our business, and the terms he will engage on." They would also like a recommendation of a man "who is skilled in the business of Canalling, who can point us to the place where, under all Circumstances, the Canal ought to be cut." Mentions hearing of such a person who recently came to America at the invitation of Mr. Morris and that he is now in Philadelphia…

GLC02437.05964

21 December 1793

Swan, James, 1754-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Says he wouldn't normally bother Knox, but needs to update him on the situation because of the "cruel war" in Europe. Sends the latest news on 13 sailors captured by the "Algereen pirates." Swan expresses anger that the pirates are allowed to harass American shipping with tacit English approval. Goes on to say that "England by that treaty [of peace with Portugal] will prevent france geting [sic] supplies from america, she punishes us for adhering to the Treaty [from 1778], and for reorganizing their Republic." Believes three things can punish England and get the pirates to back off American…

GLC02437.06002

1 February 1794

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to James Sullivan

Apologizes for not responding to Sullivan's earlier request for information on a canal engineer from Europe who recently arrived in Philadelphia (see GLC02437.05964). Knox waited to write until the engineer, Mr. Weston, an Englishman, arrived in the city from the countryside. This still has not happened. Will ask Mr. Morris if Mr. Weston can be spared to help on Sullivan's project at the Middlesex Canal Company. Knox says he cannot speak for Weston's abilities, but that the company in Philadelphia is satisfied with his work. Tells Sullivan the project will succeed only if they have a good…

GLC02437.06037

2 April 1795

Swan, James, 1754-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Describes the trading patterns between France, Spain, Britain, and the United States. States that Europe does not generally see America, or even Spain as a market for goods, but rather goes to England.

GLC02437.06380

17 May 1796

Swan, James, 1754-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reminds Knox that he needs a sum of money Knox owes him by 1 June. Declares that if his finances were not tightly arranged, and if his credit were not endangered, Swan would not be so insistent.

GLC02437.06743