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.

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794 to William Knox

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00707 Author/Creator: Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794 Place Written: Valley Forge, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 3 June 1778 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; Height: 21.2 cm, Width: 16.7 cm Order a Copy

Shaw, Henry Knox's aide-de-camp, apologizes for the delay in sending a box owned by William. Reports that the army plans to leave Valley Forge, and Henry Knox is unwilling "to leave any thing of his in this d-n'd State." Refers to military and political matters, noting that England ("John Bull") would leave America if it could do so decently. Comments that "La Francois" intends to speculate pretty deeply in American politics." Remarks that British papers emphasize the advantage America could gain by constitutionally uniting with England, yet the British also highlight the difference between American and British speech, dress, and customs. Mentions bills released by Lord North and authenticated by General William Howe. Discusses preparations for following the British as they leave Philadelphia, bound for New York. Discusses a disagreement between Henry Knox and Thomas-Antoine Mauduit, Chevalier Du Plessis. Some text loss on page three.

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794
Knox, William, 1756-1795
Du Plessis, Thomas-Antoine Mauduit, chevalier, 1753-1791
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Washington, George, 1732-1799

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources