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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.

Biddle, Clement, 1740-1814 to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.01205 Author/Creator: Biddle, Clement, 1740-1814 Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 2 October 1781 Pagination: 2 p. : address ;. : docket ; Order a Copy

Assures Knox that he will not publish his correspondence and asks him to write often about the operation in Virginia. Reports that the British "suffered much more severely in the Action off Cape Henry than you seem to have expected," referring to the Second Battle of the Virginia Capes. Mentions the actions of several naval vessels. Reports that British troops have landed on Staten Island and impressed many wagons. There are rumors of the British coming to burn Philadelphia and the militia is preparing. The remainder of the Pennsylvania line is in Philadelphia and plans to march 600 men southward in a few days. Gives news that Knox's daughter Lucy is well and enjoying her school. The Continental Army was then engaged in the Battle of Yorktown.

Biddle, Clement, 1740-1814
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

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