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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.

Washington, George, 1732-1799 to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.09392 Author/Creator: Washington, George, 1732-1799 Place Written: Rocky Hill, New Jersey Type: Manuscript letter signed Date: 8 October 1783 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; Height: 22.7 cm, Width: 18.5 cm Order a Copy

Reports receiving a letter from Knox, delivered by Captain Shaw (possibly Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide-de-camp). Informs Knox, commanding at West Point, he has been impatiently waiting for Congress to decide the number of troops to be stationed at West Point during the winter. Relates that some members of Congress seem reluctant to lessen the present force while the British remain in the United States. Intends to send orders to Colonel [Timothy] Pickering, Quarter Master General, to extend winter provisions for the supply of 2500-3000 men. Notes that Shaw has gone to Philadelphia. Docketed in Knox's hand.

Washington, George, 1732-1799
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794

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