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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.

Procter, Thomas, 1739-1806 to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.05066 Author/Creator: Procter, Thomas, 1739-1806 Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 16 July 1791 Pagination: 1 p. : Height: 32.3 cm, Width: 19.4 cm Order a Copy

Passed along to Knox, some time ago, a letter from "a Gentleman resident on the borders of the Spanish Government." Reports that the man is the principal officer of a new settlement on the Mississippi River. Fears he transgressed "the Limits of friendship and honor" by passing it along, and that "the unadvised Act, hath given me much pain of mind." Provides his reasons why he sent it. Had heard from a member of Congress that a very long letter by his Spanish correspondent was sent to George Washington. Understood that this letter to Washington "bordered on threats to the detriment of the United States" if he was not given the appointment of Superintendent General of the district. Says he sent his letter forward to counter these threats of an "Unbecoming Kind." Believes he did his duty sending them to Knox, but as the letter is not needed for the public good anymore, he would like the correspondence returned.

Procter, Thomas, 1739-1806
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Washington, George, 1732-1799

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