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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.

Hewes, Joseph, 1730-1779 to Samuel Johnston

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04790 Author/Creator: Hewes, Joseph, 1730-1779 Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 4 June 1775 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; Height: 22.7 cm, Width: 18.7 cm Order a Copy

Mentions Captain Gilles, who transmitted previous correspondence between Hewes and Johnston. Discusses the Colonies' (specifically North Carolina's) ability to finance and sustain a military conflict. Writes "I fear we shall be obliged [text loss] Promise for our Colony much more than it [can?] perform, perhaps, more than it is able to bear, when a Country loses its [hade?], when its Ports are all shut up and all exportation ceases, say, will there be value enough found on that Country to bear heavy Taxes with patience suppose a Country under such Circumstances was to raise an Army, how is it to be paid? suppose the exigencies of th Country should demand one Million starting of Annum how is it to be raised? how made?" Discusses matters related to the Continental Congress. Mentions Mr. Henry (possibly Patrick Henry, Governor of Virginia).

Hewes, Joseph, 1730-1779
Johnston, Samuel, 1733-1816
Henry, Patrick, 1736-1799

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