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.

Washington, George, 1732-1799 to Henry Knox and Gouvenor Morris

Order a pdf of this item here.

A high-resolution version of this object is available for registered users. LOG IN

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.09309 Author/Creator: Washington, George, 1732-1799 Place Written: Newburgh, New York Type: Manuscript letter Date: 30 April 1782 Pagination: 2 p. : Height: 33.7 cm, Width: 21.6 cm Order a Copy

Discusses Morris and Knox's progress regarding "the commission you were charged with by me" (possibly a commission to negotiate prisoner exchange with the British in Elizabethtown, New Jersey). Has received Morris and Knox's dispatches, as well as those of Henry Clinton. Transmitted a copy of Morris and Knox's report to Congress, allowing them to decide upon the terms of future exchanges. Laments the unreasonableness of the British and "the miseries of War which may be augmented and protracted by such unreasonable conduct." Praises the conduct of Knox and Morris during their "odious and fruitless negotiation," and thanks them, although their mission was unsuccessful.

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Washington, George, 1732-1799
Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816
Clinton, Henry, Sir, 1730-1795

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources