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 John Trumbull

Order a pdf of this item here.

A high-resolution version of this object is available for registered users. LOG IN

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.02240 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry, 1750-1806 Place Written: West Point, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 5 July 1783 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; Height: 21.4 cm, Width: 17.1 cm Order a Copy

Written by Major General Knox to celebrated American artist Colonel John Trumbull. References Trumbull's letter of 20 June, which was delivered by his brother. Is glad he approves of the Society of the Cincinnati, and says he will be proposed for admission into the Connecticut branch at the next meeting. Says they might have been too hasty in the adoption of a medal. Describes it as "the Eagle with the emblems of cincinnati upon his breast. There is a beauty in the design as the bald eagle is peculiar to America and is, [on] the crest of the arms of the United States." Goes to say that Trumbull's friend Benjamin West, "whose mind has been in the habit of thinking upon these subjects may strike out something still more rich(?)." Asks him to bring the matter before West and he will take the results to the Society.

Trumbull, John, 1756-1843
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources