Our Collection

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.

Orr, Hugh (1717-1798) to Amara Davis

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01450.708 Author/Creator: Orr, Hugh (1717-1798) Place Written: Bridgewater, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 27 April 1792 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket ; 19.8 x 14.5 cm. Order a Copy

Written by Orr as an inventor and owner of a foundry to Davis as Quartermaster General of Boston. Says he is in possession of a cannon bore which belongs to the state and wants to return it. Claims it would be proper to give it to Davis. It weighs half a ton. Tries to downplay the cost of carting the bore, saying it is a fair price for the season.

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources