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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.

Hall, Joseph, Jr., fl. 1779 to James Lovell

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01450.020.01 Author/Creator: Hall, Joseph, Jr., fl. 1779 Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: January 22, 1779 Pagination: 2 p. ; 33 x 21 cm. Order a Copy

Recipient inferred from content and because the collection is described as letters to or from Lovell. States that his father received the earlier letter from Lovell and thanks him. Speaks of two emissions (of bank notes or money) on 20 May 1777 and 11 April 1778 and says that some think they were a bad idea, while others see them as a method of raising the credit of paper currency. Mentions that some thought Congress did not intend to immediately put the money out of circulation but others are propagating that opinion for their own profit. Reports that a considerable quantity of the money has already been received in the Loan Office. Comments that half of his father's money was from the emissions, which he put into the Loan Office. Adds that his family sends their compliments. On reverse of the letter is an incomplete letter dated 23 March 1779 to Lovell's brother. Possibly a draft since there are numerous cross outs.

Hall, Joseph, Jr., fl 1779
Lovell, James, 1737-1814

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