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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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3 October 1789

Crane, John, 1744-1805

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses settling his account with the Paymasters Office. Mentions having written to Knox several times and has yet to receive a reply. Describes current financial difficulties, including suffering the loss of a saw mill in a fire. Noted as written in Passamaquady, which is most likely in the vicinity of Passamaquoddy Bay in present-day Maine.

GLC02437.04377

26 June 1790

Winslow, Samuel, fl. 1781-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

States that recent deliberations of Congress have led him to believe that new excises will be placed upon certain goods, and there will be a need for more collection officers. Asks for Knox's help in obtaining a position as a excise tax collector.

GLC02437.04636

12 September 1790

Winslow, Samuel, fl. 1781-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Winslow tells Secretary of War Henry Knox that two men, Samuel Noyes and Adams Merrill, want to buy some lots of land in Falmouth which Major Merrill had previously applied for. One is also interested in the 104 acres of Piscataqua that Winslow thinks is worth 24 cents an acre. There is a dispute over land owned by Bartholomew and David Thompson among their family. J. Cox has petitioned to partition the eight hundred acres he purchased at Auction.

GLC02437.04726

1 November 1790

Winslow, Samuel, fl. 1781-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Winslow acknowledges receiving Secretary of War Knox's letter written 14 October. Winslow mentions a "controversy between Mrs. Waldo and Us" believing that Knox "had a conviction either of the policy, or propriety of it." Winslow wishes to find employment but is unable to find anything. No doubt Knox will "be ever near the Fountain of Federal business" and Winslow hopes to get a position. Says he has not gone to the [Waldo] patent, as Knox wished, due to the hostile disposition of some inhabitants there and his own "present embarrass'd condition." Discusses Cox's petition, land sales, and…

GLC02437.04765

February 1, 1791

Winslow, Samuel, fl. 1781-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes he is disappointed that he has not had any response from Knox regarding the letters he sent him. Outlines the defense of a case concerning taxes on Thomas Flucker's estate. Understands that Knox is busy with "public business" but he needs to hear from Knox regarding this matter. When the "subject of an Excise commenc'd in Congress" he nominated himself. Tells Knox, "you will infinitely oblige me by renewing your application for me."

GLC02437.04844

21 August 1792

Winslow, Samuel, fl. 1781-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Peirce

Assures Peirce he will "promot[e] as far as possible the Views of Genl. Knox" in land negotiations related to the Waldo patent. Discusses land in the Waldo patent, specifically, boundaries, grants, deeds and finances. May be the Winslow letter Peirce mentions to Knox in GLC02437.05583.

GLC02437.05584

February 5, 1793

Winslow, Isaac, 1736-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

They have been consulting on the Waldo patent business for the past several days and have brought Mr. Erving and Waldo "to a determination." Says they agreed in helping them dispose of the patent, but they wish to retain the island to accommodate Mr. Erving. The Winslows want to make a quiet settlement with the people who inhabit the island, writing, "Its a very desirable thing with both of us, to hold a farm on the Island and to make the settlers happy ... " Goes into further detail. "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.05806

20 February 1793

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isaac Winslow

Initialed by Knox. Encloses his acceptance of the conditions to purchase the Winslow family's interest in the Waldo Patent (see GLC02437.05777 and GLC02437.05828). Will also purchase the islands. If anyone else in the family wants to sell their land, Knox is willing to oblige. Will pay $12,500, half the selling price, to the Winslows by 1 May. Place writ is not listed; however, another letter (GLC02437.02828) from Henry dated the same day places him in Philadelphia.

GLC02437.05827

9 March 1793

Winslow, Samuel, fl. 1781-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Notes since receiving Knox's reply (no date given) he has been trying to negotiate a loan "upon the strength of my Expectations; not having yet been able to accomplish my purpose." Reports that Henry Jackson encouraged him to make a draft upon Knox. Accordingly he has drawn up a bill for $250. Will leave another bill for $250 in the hands of his brother. Has only done this because of the "most pressing demands." Will consider the money an advance "towards my part of the Consideration money of the patent Contract." Does not think Knox will need the legal paper work for the land as "I…

GLC02437.05846

9 September 1793

Winslow, Samuel, fl. 1781-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Regrets he cannot give Knox more information on the land negotiations. States that a relapse of his "malady" kept him in New York 5 days longer than expected. Since his return he has gone to Beverly to meet with Nathan Dane. Goes into problems with the deeds brought up by Mr. Erving. Hopes they can work the problems out with Dane tomorrow. Expresses his desire to complete the deal as soon as possible. Thanks the Knox family for their hospitality while he was in Philadelphia.

GLC02437.05922

16 June 1795

Winslow, Samuel, fl. 1781-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he is happy to hear the Knox and his family have arrived safely in Boston and hopes that their journey to Maine will be peaceful. Also forwards some papers (not included).

GLC02437.06443

May 1796

Waldo, Samuel, 1764-?

Manuscript document

Title: [Petition for Falmouth lands in Maine]

Previous research suggests the document was written in May 1796; that date was added in pen on page one at a later time. A petition on behalf of several members of the Waldo and Winslow families for a portion of the Falmouth lands in Maine. A note at bottom says that the letter was sent to General Henry Knox via Joseph Peirce. Signed by Samuel Waldo on behalf of William Wetmore, Sarah Waldo Wetmore, Elizabeth Winslow, Lucy Waldo, Isaac Winslow, and George W. Irving.

GLC02437.06758

22 July 1796

Wolcott, Oliver, 1760-1833

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Written from the Treasury Department. Wolcott, Secretary of the Treasury, has been requested by the House of Representatives to prepare a report on the establishment of districts for collecting duties along the United States border with Canada. Asks Knox a series of questions on the subject to help him prepare his report. Questions revolve around locations of British settlements in Canada, trade between the British and the Americans, and other similar themes.

GLC02437.06789

12 October 1796

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Samuel Winslow

Unsigned, but content and docket suggest the author is Henry Knox. Written from Montpelier, Knox's home in Thomaston, Maine. Writes that he received Winslow's earlier letter. Declares that he is not yet ready to sell the land in question, and if he decides to, he will sell it at public auction, which would allow Mr. Anderson his fair chance at purchasing it. Discusses several other business and land transactions.

GLC02437.06838

18 October 1796

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Abiel Wood

Unsigned, but content and docket suggest the author is Henry Knox. Written from Montpelier, Knox's home in Thomaston, Maine. Asks for information about chartering vessels of different sizes and at different times of the year, in Wiscasset (he spells it "Wisscasset") or on Penobscot Bay, in Maine.

GLC02437.06845

31 October 1796

Wood, Abiel, fl. 1743-1811

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Answers Knox's question from his previous letter (see GLC02437.06845) regarding vessels sailing to and from Wiscasset. Provides information about the size of the boats sailing from that location, where they are traveling, and how much cargo they can carry. Promises to help Knox if he can be of service.

GLC02437.06855