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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.

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809 to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00633 Author/Creator: Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809 Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter Date: 7 August 1777 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; Height: 33.5 cm, Width: 20.7 cm Order a Copy

Reports a scare regarding a fleet of 150 ships in the [Massachusetts] Bay. Describes how Bostonians were thrown into confusion, thinking the fleet consisted of British troops from New York. Speaks of the evacuation of Boston: "altho' the Alarm came very direct- yet by heavens everyone was for own dear self- from my little observation in this affair- I really think if the enemy were to come here, not one quarter part of the Town would turn out to oppose them- O my God the thought." Notes that The Hancock, a frigate, has been captured and taken to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Gives report of a naval prize ashore at Newbury [Massachusetts] containing rum. Complains of slow recruiting. As in previous letters, expresses his wish that "the Gen'l" (George Washington) will write to Massachusetts to encourage the state's assistance regarding recruiting. Asks Henry to remember him to Mr. Secretary Knox (Henry's brother William), and to offer [William] a position as ensign under Jackson's service.

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

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