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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.

Wadsworth, Benjamin, 1750-1826 to James Lovell

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01450.020.03 Author/Creator: Wadsworth, Benjamin, 1750-1826 Place Written: Danvers, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter Date: December 10, 1779 Pagination: 2 p. ; 20 x 16 cm. Order a Copy

Recipient inferred from content and because the collection is described as letters to or from Lovell, a Continental Congressman from Massachusetts. Wadsworth, pastor of the First Church at Danvers, thanks Lovell for his last letter. Congratulates him on being reelected to his seat in Congress and praises his work. Speaks of two young gentlemen who have been assigned to parishes. Mentions the difficulty of regulating the price of materials. States he was sad to hear of the American defeat at Savannah (3 September - 28 October 1779) but realizes that disappointments must be expected in war. The British have completed another campaign but he believes they have not taken steps toward accomplishing their purpose. States that most of Europe is for American independence but only an act of God will get the British to consider peace. Mentions that he is pleased that the last circular letter has calmed the minds of people. Includes a draft of a letter to David Hopkins from Lovell dated 7 March 1780 contained on verso.

Wadsworth, Benjamin, 1750-1826
Lovell, James, 1737-1814
Hopkins, David, fl. 1779

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