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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.

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796 to George Washington

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04863 Author/Creator: Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796 Place Written: Mount Kemble, New Jersey Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 25 December 1780 Pagination: 4 p. : Height: 20.3 cm, Width: 15.9 cm Order a Copy

Expresses frustration with contradictory accounts from New York. Updates Washington on the movements of the British fleet and states that Benedict Arnold boarded one of the vessels. Reports that he does not know if they have sailed yet. Gives information on Arnold's activities and says he was definitely in New York on Saturday 23 December because he was seen by someone. Remarks that he is attempting to form an intelligence network, "I am endeavouring to form a Chain of Intelligence & will succeed if practicable - should any thing material turn up you may be assured of being Informed the soonest possible." Wishes him a Merry Christmas.

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796
Washington, George, 1732-1799
Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801

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