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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.

Montgomery, John, fl. 1778-1795 to Newton, Gordon, and Johnston

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01450.022.05 Author/Creator: Montgomery, John, fl. 1778-1795 Place Written: Lisbon, Portugal Type: Autograph letter Date: July 24, 1779 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; Height: 23.5 cm, Width: 19.5 cm Order a Copy

Letter signed as Montgomery, Sealy, and Co. Reports that Spain has finally joined forces with France against England. The Spanish fleet sailed from Cadiz on June 24, 1779 and will join the French fleet. States that they are threatening an invasion in Ireland or England but remarks that British spirits are high. ". . . John Bull's Spirit seems to be roused, and they begin to be unanimous at home, and don't seem to dread them, which looks well." Mentions that the Spanish have already begun to lay siege to Gibraltar but he thinks their attempt will be fruitless as it was at Algiers because the garrison there is well supplied and well led. Second half of the letter deals with business accounts, and shipments of tea, wine, and other goods. On 21 June 1779 Spain declared war against Britain so that France would help them regain Gibraltar and Florida. Newton, Gordon, and Johnston were merchants from Madeira.

Montgomery, John, fl. 1778-1779
Montgomery, Sealy, & Co., fl. 1779

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