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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.

Edwards, Thomas, 1753-1806 to A.B.

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04379.20 Author/Creator: Edwards, Thomas, 1753-1806 Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Manuscript letter Date: 5 September 1787 Pagination: 4 p. : docket ; Order a Copy

Directs the recipient (identified as "Correspondent") to appoint a member of the Massachusetts Society of Cincinnati from each county to keep the secretary informed of local affairs through regular correspondence. Through such correspondence, society members can also be made aware of a problem with the society's finances and debts, and the proposed solution. The society resolved at their 5 July 1787 meeting to raise money (via assessments) to pay for diplomas and the society's debt. Explains how the society incurred a heavy debt sending Pierre L'Enfant as an emissary to France, during which time he arranged to have the society's diploma engraved and eagle insignia made. The eagles will be distributed to the state societys in proportion to their assessments. The letter is signed "Standing-Committee." Edwards was the society's secretary.

Edwards, Thomas, 1753-1806
L'Enfant, Pierre Charles, 1754-1825

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