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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.

Gorham, Nathaniel, 1738-1796 to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03460 Author/Creator: Gorham, Nathaniel, 1738-1796 Place Written: Charlestown, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: February 18, 1787 Pagination: 1 p. : docket Height: 29.6 cm, Width: 17.9 cm Order a Copy

Discusses the debate in Massachusetts as to whether to send delegates to the upcoming Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. Writes that "sensible & bold Men shall be chosen for the convention if I can have any influence in the business." The Committee has not yet formally agreed to send a delegation, but Gorham is convinced they will probably send one. Reports that Mr. [Samuel] Adams is having difficulties because he "wishes to limit the Commission in such manner as I think will exceedingly injure the business," but Gorham feels "rather encouraged to hope the affair will be rightly mannaged [sic]." Asks to be remembered to Mrs. Knox.

Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Gorham, Nathaniel, 1738-1796
Adams, John, 1735-1826
Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

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