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.

Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to William Knox

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00734 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: Fredericksburgh, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 24 October 1778 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; 20.8 x 17.2 cm. Order a Copy

Written at Fredericksburgh. Location from docket. Knox informs his brother that the British sent a detachment of 7000-8000 men from New York. Predicts the men were sent to the West Indies, but "others again suppose for Carolina." Mentions a fleet of ships, possibly British, and the Comte D'Estaing. Notes, "I write you this that if there are no other Demonstrations than the ships of War-not to be alarm'd." Reports that more British may embark from New York, assuming they will travel to Europe, Halifax, Nova Scotia, and the West Indies. In a post script, relates that the left wing of the Continental Army has moved as far as the Connecticut River.

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Knox, William, 1756-1795
Estaing, Charles Henri, comte d', 1729-1794

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources