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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.

Ogden, Samuel, 1746-1810 to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.05412 Author/Creator: Ogden, Samuel, 1746-1810 Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 12 April 1792 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; Height: 25 cm, Width: 20.4 cm Order a Copy

Received Knox's letter but wanted to wait until he arrived in New York City before he responded. Declares that he has never seen a place in so much distress. Explains that Mr. [Alexander] Macomb is under so much stress that he has "gone beyond redemption, and must begin the world again." Has heard that before Saturday more than forty noteworthy people will "stop" (meaning stop payment to their creditors, thereby declaring bankruptcy). Discusses a recent visit with Mr. [William] Duer. Duer requested that Ogden transport a financial note to Mr. John Pintard, but Ogden did not want to oblige until he spoke to Knox about the subject. Describes his dilemma. Sends love from himself and his wife to Mrs. Knox. "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Ogden, Samuel, 1746-1810
Duer, William, 1747-1799
Macomb, Alexander, 1748-1831
Pintard, John, 1759-1844
Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824
Ogden, Euphemia Morris, 1754-1818

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