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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.

Lee, Charles, 1731-1782 to Robert Morris

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06645.02 Author/Creator: Lee, Charles, 1731-1782 Place Written: Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20 July 1782 Pagination: 4 p. : address : docket ; Height: 22.5 cm, Width: 20.2 cm Order a Copy

Discusses his financial hardships and fear of France's growing power. Hopes Morris can sell his estate for him, since his debts are mounting due to high taxes and low profits. Also hopes Morris can help him secure funds he is owed by a Mr. Rutledge of South Carolina. The Rutledge family was a very prominent one in South Carolina. Is upset by Congress' claim that "they will have no peace however salutary until their good allies assent." Worries that this policy will lead to our aiding the French so greatly that they will come to dominate the globe, and become America's new oppressor.

Morris, Robert, 1734-1806
Lee, Charles, 1732-1782

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