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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.

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806 to George Washington

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.04058 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry, 1750-1806 Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: December 21, 1788 Pagination: 4 p. : docket ; Height: 32.6 cm, Width: 20 cm Order a Copy

Knox's retained draft, riddled with struck text and insertions. Acknowledges receipt of applications Washington sent for admission into the Society of the Cincinnati. Comments on the Constitution at great length: "In the states of New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut, the great object of organizing the new Constitution has engrossed the attention of the people." Notes that Rhode Island's "paper money system and tender laws are sufficiently characteristick of their pursuits." Refers to the Constitution, the new government, and Federalism in Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, New York, Virginia and New Jersey. Declares, "Mr. John Adams will probably have the plurality of views for vice President- from his principles of government as well his professions of regard to the character universally decided on for the President- he will probably be one of the best characters for the office of vice president." Notes that his three youngest children have had the measles. In a post script, reports that Major Haskell, who is on his way to Europe, hopes to obtain a certificate of service from Washington.

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Washington, George, 1732-1799
Adams, John, 1735-1826
Haskell, Jonathan, 1755-1817

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