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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.

Laurens, Henry, 1724-1792 to William Whipple

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03187 Author/Creator: Laurens, Henry, 1724-1792 Place Written: York, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 15 December 1777 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket : free frank Height: 34.3 cm, Width: 21.3 cm Order a Copy

Written by Laurens as President of Continental Congress to Brigadier General Whipple. Whipple was a Declaration of Independence signer. Says Congress is undertaking a full inquiry into the American defeat at Rhode Island under Major General Joseph Spencer. Says that Congress has appointed five commissioners, and that Whipple has been selected as one because of his "continued Zeal in the public service." For more information says to look at the enclosed certified copy of the Act of Congress from 12 December 1777 (the act is not included here). Written from York, Pennsylvania while the British occupied Philadelphia. Free frank carries Laurens's signature. Docketed by Whipple.

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