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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.

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828 to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.02106 Author/Creator: Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828 Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20 April 1783 Pagination: 4 p. : address : docket ; 31 x 20.3 cm. Order a Copy

A letter commenting on Knox's personal finances, especially the disposition of government notes. Peirce references Knox's letter of 3 April. Mentions consolidating old notes and registering new ones. Says his brother William did not consign any goods to him, nor to Colonel Sears. Says "I rejoice with you that Peace is again likely to visit our Country - The Contest has been severe, - but it has been short - It has been indeed Glorious - in eight years to effect so great a revolution is more than most sanguine at the commencement could have expected." Says Boston Harbor has appeared "dismal for want of Ships. Hopes it will "put on its wanted appearance of a Forrest." Says Boston in 1783 when compared to 1774 is "miserably poor." Says the New York gentlemen, who have been the most successful of war-time businessmen, are planning on leaving soon. Page 2 gives a breakdown of notes and their interest.

Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828

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