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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 William Heath

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.02405 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry, 1750-1806 Place Written: West Point, New York Type: Manuscript letter Date: 22 August 1783 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; Height: 19.8 cm, Width: 15.6 cm Order a Copy

Written and signed in a secretarial hand for General Knox by his aide-de-camp Major Samuel Shaw. References Heath's letter of 7 August. Says with respect to John Shaw he can only extend his furlough as only the commander in chief can offer a discharge (see GLC02437.02360). Says that is impossible now as Washington is on a visit to Congress. Second page is a copy of another letter in the hand of Samuel Shaw (he accidently signed the letter and then crossed out his signature). This letter refers to John Shaw's poor health and need for a longer furlough. Says it was extended until next April.

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