Our Collection

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.

Lovell, James, 1737-1814 to George Wiat

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01450.020.04 Author/Creator: Lovell, James, 1737-1814 Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter Date: March 14, 1780 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket Height: 32 cm, Width: 19.5 cm Order a Copy

Docket indicates that this letter is a copy. Author inferred from content and because the collection is described as letters to or from Lovell, a Continental Congressman from Massachusetts. Lovell regrets he could not write sooner. He indicates that the state of the country demands all his attention and he has heard from Congress everyday since he took his seat except a few when he was sick. "I consider myself as acting for a young nation or a new world, and millions yet unborn will be happy or miserable (as to this world) in consequence of the proceedings of Congress ..." He states that if this were not the case, he would be content to go home and be with his dearest friends, especially since his health is poor and he cannot expect to live long. He comments that if he had time he would give his sentiments on national affairs.

Lovell, James, 1737-1814
Wiat, George, fl. 1780
Huntington, Samuel, 1731-1796

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources