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.

Tracy, John, fl. 1789-1795 to Henry Knox

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.04446 Author/Creator: Tracy, John, fl. 1789-1795 Place Written: Newburyport, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 21 December 1789 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; Height: 23.1 cm, Width: 18.9 cm Order a Copy

Discusses his troubles concerning his family estate. Says that financial difficulties will prevent him from settling in the Western Country. Discusses his financial ruin, stating, "in a word, I must look to my Country, a Country that I neither spared property, Labour or attention to support, when in my power but on the contrary, the confidence I placed was my ruin - I do not reflect on myself or my Country - I was happy in sinking or swimming with them..." Asks Knox to assist him in obtaining a position in the Customs Office.

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Tracy, John, fl. 1789-1795

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources