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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.

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806 to Benjamin Lincoln

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.01489 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry, 1750-1806 Place Written: New Windsor, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 17 July 1782 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; Height: 33.5 cm, Width: 21 cm Order a Copy

Written by Major General Knox to Secretary of War Lincoln. Marked both "Private" and "Copy." Mentions writing to Lincoln on 13 July, which acknowledged Lincoln's letter of 29 June. Was in the hope of being able to remit to him the money that was sent, but was unable to. Says he expected to make the remittance in bank bills, but claims "there are none in this quarter." Mentions that a note from [Robert] Morris and Joseph Peirce might be tapped for funds, especially since Boston owes much money to Philadelphia. Presumes those bills can be sold at the coffee house in Philadelphia. Thanks him for his kindness in these money matters. Says "Indeed it is not without great difficulties I have been able to make up this sum having previously been obliged to draw for every farthing of ready money which I had in Boston to support myself in Philadelphia." Goes on to say "If I had possessed the good sense to have resigned the moment I arrived in Philadelphia, from the Southward I should now have had the consolation of some hundreds which the vanity and inevitable expenses of the times wrested from me." Says he is sending a duplicate of this letter with the bills of exchange enclosed.

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