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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.

Pierce, William (1740-1789) to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03921 Author/Creator: Pierce, William (1740-1789) Place Written: Belmont, Georgia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 7 January 1788 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket ; 30 x 20.8 cm. Order a Copy

Major Pierce informs Knox he sent him "a few Water Melons and two [musk] melons. by Schemmerhorn. They will arrive, I hope, in season to be acceptable." A note on verso underneath the address leaf states, "2 Water Mellions Rotten & 1 [Musk] Mellion."

Pierce was a member of the Continental Congress in 1787, a delegate from Georgia to the Federal Convention at Philadelphia in 1787, and an original member and vice president of the Society of the Cincinnati.

[draft]
Belmont in Georgia, July 1st '88
Dr Genl.

I have sent you a few Water melons and two [musk] melons by Schemmerhorn. They will arrive, I hope, in Season to be acceptable. - They are, I believe, of a good quality.
Mrs. Pierce sends her best respects to Mrs. Knox and yourself, in which I heartily join. -
I am Dr General with esteem
Your friend & hble Servt
Genl. Knox . Wm. Pierce .
2 Melons marked K
4 Do. marked +

[address leaf]
The honble
Major General Knox
In New York

honored by
Majr Webb
With melons marked K & +
[docket]
Georgia 1 July 1788
From Major Pierce
[illegible]
2 Water Mellions Rotten
& 1 [Musk] Mellion

Pierce, William, 1740-1789
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

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