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.

Duane, James, fl. 1763-1785 to Robert Livingston, Jr. re: outrage at Great Britain and support for war

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03107.03331 Author/Creator: Duane, James, fl. 1763-1785 Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1775/06/07 Pagination: 3p. : docket : Height: 32.8 cm, Width: 20 cm Order a Copy

"Our publick affairs are at length arrived at the most dangerous Extremity. The ministry with inflexible obstinacy persevere in that inhuman system of Despotism which was contrived to rob us of our Liberties; and because we cannot submit to so humiliating a Condition they have drawn the sword against our suffering Friends as Traitors and Rebels, and the Authority of Parliament is called in to starve the Southern as well as the Eastern Colonies into base submission." Duane states that a war must be fought in order to obtain liberty, and believes that their ultimate victory will make all of their sacrifices worthwhile. He also discusses American relations with Canada and the Indians, and hopes that the British do not stoop to manipulate the Indians to achieve their own interests. Duane addresses Robert, Jr.'s concern that the war will hurt his iron manufacturing business, and states that although some losses are expected, iron will certainly be in demand throughout the conflict.

Livingston, Robert Jr., 1688-1775

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources