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.

Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804 to Henry Knox

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03637 Author/Creator: Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804 Place Written: Hartford, Connecticut Type: Autograph letter signed Date: August 19, 1787 Pagination: 6 p. : address : docket ; Height: 25.1 cm, Width: 20 cm Order a Copy

Discusses a business plan proposed to him by Major [Winthrop] Sargent for an upcoming voyage and the risks that accompany the proposal. (See GLC02437.03638 for Winthrop's views on the voyage). Mentions one of his officer's requests for payment. Describes the financial ruin and plight of Nathanael Greene's (Catharine Greene) widow and children. Asks Knox to forward the Marquis's [Lafayette's] letter to her. Worries about Greene's sons and their education. Complains about the numerous payment applications and loans requests he has received along with requests from people who wish him to speculate. Begs Knox to financially assist their late friend. Noted as private. "Free" handwritten on address leaf with no signature. See GLC02437.03644, GLC02437.03647, and GLC02437.03652 for related documents. "Free" handwritten on address leaf with no signature.

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804
Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786
Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820
Greene, Catharine Littlefield, 1755-1814
Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources