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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.

Thomas, Alexander, fl. 1790 to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.04616 Author/Creator: Thomas, Alexander, fl. 1790 Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 25 May 1790 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket ; Height: 19.4 cm, Width: 15.9 cm Order a Copy

Apologizes for taking the liberty to write to Knox, whom he does not know personally but only by reputation. Explains that he worked as a clerk in the office of the Massachusetts Commissary General, but was recently dismissed because there was not enough work to require his services. Has since been unemployed, and has moved his family to New York City in hopes of finding work. Asks Knox for his "patronage & assistance in some employ."

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Thomas, Alexander, fl. 1790

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