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 Marquis de Lafayette

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03726 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry, 1750-1806 Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter Date: December 14, 1787 Pagination: 4 p. : Height: 33.2 cm, Width: 20.2 cm Order a Copy

Knox says he has not heard from Lafayette in some time. Mentions that he wrote on the constitutional convention by the last packet. Reports on states that have called ratifying conventions to approve or reject the constitution. Has doubts specifically about Virginia and New York. Says Rhode Island has "too many schemes of convenience" to approve it. But says "it is highly probable that it will be adopted in the course of the year 1788 by nine states and more." Says he is anxious about rumors of war between France and England. Reports that those in the know claim the event is "inevitable." Worries about the situation of the United States if such a war broke out. Wants an updated list of French members of the Society of the Cincinnati so he can make up diplomas. Reports that Lucy Knox has given birth to their eighth child. No signature at closing. Letter is possibly incomplete.

Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources