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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.

Talbot, Silas, 1751-1813 to George Washington

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.04491 Author/Creator: Talbot, Silas, 1751-1813 Place Written: Johnstown, New York Type: Autograph letter Date: January 31, 1790 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; Height: 29.7 cm, Width: 19.5 cm Order a Copy

A copy of Talbot's letter to Washington, which Talbot is now forwarding to Henry Knox (see GLC02437.04490). Applies to Washington to his "being again employed in some public service in case any should offer, in which I might be thought adequate to the performance of," and hopes in particular to obtain the position of Harbor Master of New York City, as "new arrangements will probably take place in some or all of the principal Harbours in the United States ... " Notes he can forward letters from General's [John] Sullivan and [Horatio] Gates attesting to his abilities and character. Noted as a copy. Docketed by Talbot.

Talbot, Silas, 1751-1813
Washington, George, 1732-1799

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