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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.

Williams, William, 1731-1811 to Jabez Huntington

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04867 Author/Creator: Williams, William, 1731-1811 Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: August 12, 1776 Pagination: 2 p. : Height: 31.7 cm, Width: 20.3 cm Order a Copy

Summarizes affairs in first weeks of independence. Opens by commenting on his arduous journey to Philadelphia to join the Continental Congress. Informs that Silas Deane has arrived from France with the report of the French court's unfavorable reception of the American request for aid. Discusses the Declaration and comments that it has spurred the colonies to form governments. Informs that South Carolina, Virginia, and New Jersey have established them and indicates who these colonies have chosen or might choose for governors. Mentions John Alsop, a Continental Congress member from New York who was displeased with the Declaration. Hopes Connecticut will take a conservative approach to creating a constitution.

Williams, William, 1731-1811
Huntington, Jabez, 1719-1786
Alsop, John, 1724-1794
Deane, Silas, 1737-1789

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