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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.

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809 to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.05158 Author/Creator: Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809 Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 15 September 1791 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket ; Height: 30.7 cm, Width: 18.6 cm Order a Copy

Reports that Captain James Magee is bound for a voyage around the cape to the northwest coast of America on the 150-ton ship, "Margarett." The ship is owned by James and Thomas Lamb, James Magee, and Thomas H. Perkins, all of Boston. They intend to eventually land at Nootka Sound, and if distressed, may be obliged to land at ports of Spain. Therefore, Magee would like to have paperwork showing the ship is American. Asks Knox to use his influence to get the necessary papers. As Knox knows Magee and the ship owners, he will not go into detail about their background, but does say "they are Gentlemen of the first reputation and integrity." Says they would also like Knox to procure a sea letter for the ship.

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

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