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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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29 May 1788

Lewis, William, fl. 1784-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Lewis transmits a certificate with a contiguous letter to Knox. Verifies that the ship the Empress of China left New York bound for China in 1784, and that prior to its departure, he was obliged to withdraw $2,300 on behalf of the owners. Notes, "if Mr. Parker will subscribe the certificate I think it will effectually serve Mr [Samuel] Shaw whose case is a cruel hard one-"

GLC02437.03878

21 February 1789

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Lechmere

Apologizes for not responding to previous letters before receiving two new letters about Dr. Taylor's bond. Had been waiting for answers to questions respecting their business, specifically about whether bonds due to the mandamus counselors were confiscated with their other property, and therefore whether Taylor was solvent. The Courts decided finally that the bonds had been confiscated. It appears that Taylor is insolvent and has taken the bonds; his lands had been mortgaged to Mr. [Thomas] Flucker. Declares that due to these circumstances, he must decline Lechmere's kind offer, though…

GLC02437.04124

30 March 1789

Lewis, Joseph, 1748-1814

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Stagg

Written from "Morris Town," which may be located in several states, including New Jersey. Declares that George Shelley and Michael Conner are two soldiers who served with the Maryland troops during the war, and would like to receive compensation such as clothes and bounty land. They are unsure how to proceed with their claim, so Lewis has enclosed one of their letters to Stagg, because he knows "of no friend that is more capable of giving information concerning [the claims] than yourself." Sends his compliments to Mrs. Stagg.

GLC02437.04159

10 October 1789

Lee, Henry, 1756-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Congratulates Knox on his recent honor (likely his appointment as Secretary of War). Asks, "whether the second revolution will produce half the good predicted by its friends and whether the eastern conspiracy in the house of representatives declared afterwards on the floor respecting the permanent seat of govt. will not prove [incontestibly] the [simplicity] of associating with them in a form of govt. where they possess a majority." Adds that it is only his desire to preserve the new government he fought hard to help create, that prevents him from arguing further. Declares, "In as many…

GLC02437.04385

22 August 1790

Lewis, William, fl. 1784-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the upcoming trial of Major Shaw and Mr. Holker, to be held 6 September 1790. Asks if Knox has any evidence or information to contribute, and hopes Knox will communicate it to him. "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.04697

2 September 1790

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Lewis

Knox acknowledges Lewis's letter of 22 August 1790 regarding "the suit between my friend Major [Samuel] Shaw and Mr. [Holken]." Discusses the evidence that a court commission might need. Says Captain [Thomas] Randall will be able to provide Lewis with the extent of Mr. Craigie's evidence.

GLC02437.04711

1 January 1791

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Tobias Lear

Knox says he received a letter from Abraham Ogden regarding Samuel Ogden and "the subject of the attorneyship of New Jersey." Knox thinks Samuel Ogden will gladly the accept the appointment. Knox mentioned the matter to Henry Jackson "with the request that he would state it to the President."

GLC02437.04815

31 May 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to William Lewis

Contains two letters. The first, dated 31 May 1792, is written by Knox to Lewis. Knox asks Lewis's opinion about features in a legal agreement between a Massachusetts Committee of the Legislature, and Henry Jackson and Royal Flint. Asks several questions. The second letter, of the same date, is written by Lewis in answer to those questions. Lewis points out that there is "much contradiction and obscurity" in the agreement, and comments on Mr. [William] Duer's role in the agreement, now that he is insolvent. All in the hand of War Department secretary Nathan Jones.

GLC02437.05484

31 May 1792

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to William Lewis

A draft copy of GLC02437.05484.

GLC02437.05485

18 September 1792

Lewis, William, fl. 1784-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Forwards a copy of a document concerning William Duer. Informs Knox that he must present his case before the Supreme Court or the district judge.

GLC02437.05617

9 March 1793

Lewis, William, fl. 1784-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Says the action brought by the United States against William Duer is set for trial on 11 April. Wants to be informed about the bail and the trial, if a defense is made. Also would like Knox to write to Duer to get as much information as possible.

GLC02437.05847

30 April 1793

Lee, Henry, 1756-1818

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Says his proposed trip across the Atlantic must take place soon. Is at a loss to describe the situation in France. Hopes Knox can send him information. Wants his intentions kept secret though. Asks "is there any danger in passing the Atlantic in an American bottom?" Writes, "I hate a jail & dislike the idea of captivity." Says he wrote to Knox yesterday and enclosed intelligence on the Indians. He also asked for the money promised his state in that letter.

GLC02437.05883

22 July 1793

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: to William Lewis

Asks four questions about issues surrounding the Waldo Patent. The questions deal the legal paperwork of the late [Francis] Waldo, the uncle of Samuel and Isaac Winslow. Wants to take possession of the lands owned by Waldo. Also asks about the power of attorney of John and Hannah Wall. Expresses concern that Lucy Winslow, the mother of Isaac Winslow, did not assign her real estate to her husband.

GLC02437.05907

14 August 1793

Lewis, William, fl. 1784-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Gives legal answers to the questions Knox asked (see GLC024373.05907).

GLC02437.05912

28 December 1793

Lewis, William, fl. 1784-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Says that if the only contract between the heirs of General Waldo and the ten proprietors is the bond, "I conceive that a Forfeiture of the Penalty would be the only Consequence of the former refusing to convey to the Letter." Believes the forfeiture can only be incurred 6 months after the patent is obtained for the lands mentioned in the resolution of 4 July 1785.

GLC02437.06007

26 November 1794

Lewis, William, fl. 1784-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Appears to discuss land negotiations between Henry Knox, Benjamin Walker, and Samuel Ogden. Notes which appropriate forms and deeds need to be completed.

GLC02437.06257