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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.

Hastings, Jonathan, 1738-1804 to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00486 Author/Creator: Hastings, Jonathan, 1738-1804 Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 13 November 1776 Pagination: 1 p. : Height: 23.8 cm, Width: 19.2 cm Order a Copy

Agrees that Boston men show "indifference" to joining the army. States his willingness to "resign my commission to the Post Master General" as long as he can join Knox as an "aid de Camp." Tells Knox "to be with you & share your Dangers is my sincere Desire." Congratulates Knox "on the capture of many prizes," especially the capture of a ship from Scotland to New York carrying "7,000 shirts ready made, 11,000 hair stockings, & 17,000 pairs shoes, besides many other articles in great demand for the army." The invoice on board the ship states the goods are worth "25,000 sterling."

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Hastings, Jonathan, 1738-1804

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