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.

Irvine, Charles, 1756-1819 to Alexander Irvine

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01450.023.04 Author/Creator: Irvine, Charles, 1756-1819 Place Written: London, England Type: Autograph letter signed Date: April 28, 1781 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; Height: 23 cm, Width: 19 cm Order a Copy

Charles Irvine writes to his brother in Aberdeen, Scotland that he is leaving for Falmouth in a day or so to go on a packet boat, having lost hope of getting a convoy to New York. States he cannot wait any longer because since he has left Scotland, his expenses have been very high. He remarks that Mr. Moir has been very accommodating in advancing money and he hopes to pay him back soon, and asks Alexander to thank Mr. Moir for him. Mentions that he will have a draft made payable to Alexander for 50 pounds payable next December but knows that if at that time, he still does not have the money, Alexander will not hold it against him. Says that he will not make a practice of borrowing from him. He gives his love to family and friends and states he will write again before sailing to New York. Charles Irvine was an ensign in the British army during the Revolutionary War.

Irvine, Charles, 1756-1819
Irvine, Alexander, 1754-1844

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources