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.

Troutbeck, John, fl. 1755-1784 to Henry Knox

Order a pdf of this item here.

A high-resolution version of this object is available for registered users. LOG IN

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00192 Author/Creator: Troutbeck, John, fl. 1755-1784 Place Written: London, England Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 7 February 1775 Pagination: 2p.+addr. 25.4 cm. x 19.7 cm. Order a Copy

Reaffirms their friendship and hopes to see him in the future. Expects Knox to write to him before he leaves London, and after he leaves, to record everything noteworthy that occurs and send that to Troutbeck when he returns. Mentions visiting the House of Commons and hearing debates on the law of England. Praises the oratory of Edmund Burke, possibly in reference to his speech on "Conciliation with America." Has heard that Americans relish news of war, but asks how they will react to the coming news concerning peace under the "scandalous terms" that permit Spanish and French trade in English stocks. Mentions that there are many Americans in London looking for goods, but since so many will be shipped out, Troutbeck believes they will sell as cheaply in Boston as in London.
Troutbeck was a surgeon.

Troutbeck, John, fl. 1755-1784
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources