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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.

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820 to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03937 Author/Creator: Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820 Place Written: Muskingum County, Ohio Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 17 July 1788 Pagination: 2 p. : docket : Height: 32.3 cm, Width: 20.7 cm Order a Copy

Sargent writes, "the adoption of the Constitution by Virginia & New Hamshire [sic] is a Circumstance of very high Gratification to all your Friends in this Western World- I am unhappy that you should seem to suspect me of Inattention to you since my Arrival here-" Notes that he has been unable to use his right hand, thus writes with his left. Encloses a letter to [Richard] Platt (not included), asking Knox to inspect it. Discusses the Ohio land interests of a Mrs. Colden and the retention of settlers to Northwest Territory lands. Hopes to accommodate "those Settlers who are every day presenting themselves & for want of proper Encouragement leaving us & passing down to the Kentucky Country- I would propose that half, or some Part of the Lots as they may be drawn, should be sold in the free sample to Persons that will immediately cultivate & improve them..." Asks Knox to present his regards to Samuel Ogden and family. Written at Muskingum, possibly present-day Muskingum County, Ohio. Contains a slight tear.

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

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