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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 #: GLC02437.01604 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry, 1750-1806 Place Written: West Point, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 12 September 1782 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 35.6 x 22.5 cm. Order a Copy

Writes in response to Lincoln's letter of 20 August. Declares, "I am sorry Mr. [Robert] Morris cannot pay for any shells for the french [8?] inch howitzers, as they without shells much be useless after all the time and money which has been expended making new cartridges for them." Has asked General George Washington his opinion on employing German prisoners as armorers at Newburgh in exchange for their freedom (see GLC02437.01589), and Washington feels this is a good idea, so Knox asks Lincoln to make the appropriate arrangements. Also comments that he has received recent Congressional resolves about restructuring the department of military stores, and he will soon forward a list of those who he feels might not be most qualified to continue in service of the department.

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Morris, Robert, 1734-1806

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