Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 70,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World to soldiers’ letters from World War II and Vietnam. Explore primary sources, visit exhibitions in person or online, or bring your class on a field trip.

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9 December 1775

Gates, Horatio (1728-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Requests Knox's presence at headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts on behalf of George Washington. The letter was addressed to Worcester, Massachusetts, but at the time, Knox was at Fort George, in Lake George, New York.

GLC02437.00217

1 February 1776

Gates, Horatio (1728-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Concerns a complaint by the quartermaster in the regiment of Colonel Prescott, possibly William Prescott, against a member of the regiment of artillery. Discusses a potential garrison court martial and its legality. Gates was then George Washington's adjutant general.

GLC02437.00246

circa August 1776

Gates, Horatio (1728-1806)

Manuscript document

Title: A Journal of a Scout from Crown Point to St. John's Chamblee by Lieut Benjamin Whitcomb and four men

Clerical copy of a report of Whitcomb's spying mission in Canada 14-27 July 1776. Details their progress, the weather, attempts to get prisoners, and sightings of British troops moving supplies, etc. Notes that Whitcomb fired on a British officer [Brigadier General Patrick Gordon], whom he ended up killing though he was not aware of Gordon's identity at the time.

GLC01072

26 August 1777

Gates, Horatio (1728-1806)

Letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Written by Gates as newly installed commander of the Northern Department to Major General Lincoln, who was sent to New York in July 1777 by George Washington to reinforce Gates's army. Says he received enclosed letters from General Benedict Arnold, who was also sent northward by Washington, and Colonel Peter Gansevoort (letters not included). Mentions a British deserter who provided intelligence on the size of Burgoyne's army. Expects Arnold and a group of Indians to join General Enoch Poor in a few days. Says that Livingston and Cortlandt's regiments will join Poor today.

GLC05563

28 August 1777

Gates, Horatio (1728-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Reports to Continental General Lincoln about receiving a letter from George Washington concerning his (untrue) opinion that British Commander William Howe had gone to South Carolina, and adds his own hopes that New York will soon be in American possession. Mentions British General John Burgoyne (not named) is losing Canadians and Indians. Expects that Benedict Arnold will join with his division and " ...

GLC05564

16 October 1777

Gates, Horatio (1728-1806)

Manuscript document

Title: Articles of Convention between Lt. Gen. Burgoyne & Majr. Gen. Gates

Two clerical signatures for Gates, once to affirm the document and again to confirm that Burgoyne's name is understood to be used throughout. Treaty documents the terms of surrender of Burgoyne's army after its defeat at the Battle of Saratoga by Gates. Negotiations started on 13 October 1777 and Burgoyne attempted to draw them out as long as possible to see if Sir Henry Clinton's expedition from New York would be able to save him. On 16 October 1777 Burgoyne again tried to stall by claiming militia leaving Gates's army made the initial conditions of his surrender void.

GLC04782

circa 1778

Gates, Horatio (1728-1806)

Letter

Title: to Lord Thanet

Copy of a letter to Thanet in which Gates appeals to Britain to recognize American independence. Cites the American victory at Saratoga and foretells "Calamities which England will sustain" if the war is continued. A version of this letter was printed in the 29 April 1778 edition of the Pennsylvania Evening Post.

GLC01450.150

1778/01/24

Gates, Horatio (1728-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Heath re: requesting Stark's aid for a second invasion of Canada

GLC07494

11 February 1778

Gates, Horatio (1728-1806)

Autograph document signed

Title: [Proof of service for Guilluame de Luce] [in English and French]

The English part of the document certifies that Guillaume de Luce served in the Northern Army for the United States of America, and that he served well. Signed by Horatio Gates at Yorktown on 11 February 1778. The French part attests that Gates' signature is true and that the document has been countersigned by the French secretary and affixed with the French army's seal. The seal is just below the last line of text. The document is signed by "Gerard" on 23 February 1779 in Philadelphia.

GLC01450.401

1778/02/25

Gates, Horatio (1728-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to H. Hollingsworth re: order to purchase or seize food

[At height of Valley Forge supply crisis.]

GLC05581

1778/03/05

Gates, Horatio (1728-1806)

Letter signed

Title: to George Clinton re: complaints about a French officer; fortifying Hudson

Responding to complaints about a French officer Col. Louis la Radiere, the engineer engaged in works for the Hudson Highland defenses. "We could wish to avoid offence to any foreigners...we would treat them with all possible respect: but we must not sacrifice, or hazard our safety, from a point of delicacy."

GLC07128

1778/06/09

Gates, Horatio (1728-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Clinton re: defending northern borders against British & Indian raids

Written to Governor Clinton of New York.

GLC07495

13 June 1779

Gates, Horatio (1728-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Jackson

Written by Major General Gates as commander of the Eastern Department to Colonel Jackson as commander of one of the "16 Additional Continental Regiments" raised at large after December 1776. Each regiment was named for its Colonel, with Jackson's being renamed the 16th Massachusetts in January 1781. Warns of British embarkation in Newport. Approves of Jackson's apprehension of "The Conventioner." Says he is secured and will be treated "as he Deserves." References receiving letter of news of enemy movement off Point Judith. Large tears repaired.

GLC01412.29

10 July 1779

Gates, Horatio (1728-1806)

Letter

Title: [Knox's copy of a letter from Horatio Gates to Silas Talbot]

General Gates declares, "The Glory you and all under your Commd. have gained will be a lasting honour to you & them. I desire you will present my thanks to the Officers & seamen, and acquaint them how Sensible I am of the good service they have done their Country."

GLC02437.00775

5 November 1780

Gates, Horatio (1728-1806)

Letter signed

Title: to Hillsborough Board of War

Entreats the Board of War for a magazine of salted meats to sustain the Southern Army during the upcoming winter, which they have been tardy in getting done.

GLC04684

13 November 1780

Gates, Horatio (1728-1806)

Letter signed

Title: to William Smallwood

Written by Major General Gates to Major General Smallwood. This was written after Gates's defeat at the Battle of Camden and after Congress voted to call a court of inquiry into Gates's conduct at the battle in October 1780. Smallwood commanded the troops of the Maryland Line and was also at Camden. Seems to have written the letter over several days. Says he arrived in Salisbury after an agreeable march from Hillsborough. Encloses a letter from Governor Thomas Jefferson and a list of units under the command of General Alexander Leslie (not included).

GLC06505

23 February 1781

Gates, Horatio (1728-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Richard Howley

General Gates encloses a letter from Virginia Governor Thomas Jefferson (not included). Discusses Lord Cornwallis's advance into Virginia, arguing against those who think the action rash because of the support Cornwallis may have from General William Phillips in North Carolina and Benedict Arnold "in his front." Asserts the possibility of Cornwallis defeating General Nathanael Greene and making a cooperative maneuver with General Henry Clinton before the Continental Army is recruited and equipped. Comments on his desire for additional news and to travel to Philadelphia.

GLC06278

28 December 1782

Gates, Horatio (1728-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Sarcastic letter written by Major General Gates to Major General Knox. Says "Chess is intirely at a Stand here; I have many challenges, but no Troops to Act; when a convenient Opportunity Offers, I shall be Obliged to you for the peices that are wanting." Goes on to say "prepare your Great Guns to Mow down Ruffians, for the politicians of the House say, we are to have a plentiful Crop next Summer." Letter has what appears to be water damage at the fold. It has faded Knox's docket. Written from Knox's headquarters at John Ellison's mansion.

GLC02437.01764

26 January 1783

Gates, Horatio (1728-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lewis Nicola

Discusses provisions for a team of bargemen that he has recently dismissed and requests that a Elisha Davis be sent back to him once the muster is over as Davis was very helpful.

GLC02437.01862

10 February 1783

Gates, Horatio (1728-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that he expects Knox and General Huntington for dinner as they will be in the area for a Board of General Officers meeting. States the he "will try to get you as good a Dinner as I can, but you must not expect the delicacies with which you abound at West-Point..." Noted as written at Ellisons.

GLC02437.01910

15 February 1783

Gates, Horatio (1728-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that he has a mandatory court appearance and that he is happy that Knox escaped. Noted as written at Ellison's, which likely refers to the military headquarters at the Ellison family home in New Windsor, New York.

GLC02437.01925

3 March 1783

Gates, Horatio (1728-1806)

Manuscript letter

Title: Copies of letters sent by Colo. Antill

Title from docket. Marked as a copy. Possibly refers to Lieutenant Colonel Edward Antill. Contains two letters discussing whether "Colonel Antils [sic] family were to be included in the allowance of provision to Canadian Refugees." The first letter is written by Gates to an unknown female. In the letter, Gates indicates that the commissary is to obey the orders of Colonel [David] Humphreys. The second letter is from Humphreys to Gates, also written 3 March 1783.

GLC02437.10102

17 July 1783

Gates, Horatio (1728-1806)

Manuscript document

Title: to Silas Talbot

This is a copy of a certificate sent to Captain Talbot by Major General Gates. Says when he was in command of the troops in the Eastern Department in 1779, there were many small British cruisers harrasing American shipping from Long Island to Nantucket. To stop them, Gates says he had a large galley and a sloop named "Argo" fitted for battle.

GLC02437.02297

23 April 1790

Gates, Horatio (1728-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jonathan Trumbull

Complains that the House is wasting constituents' money by spending too long debating measures. Says that he foresaw the trouble created by the debate over the federal assumption of state debts. Despite quarrels, still thinks "the permanence of the Federal Government depends almost entirely on the Assumption."

GLC06658

12 February 1803

Gates, Horatio (1728-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Livingston

Revolutionary War general Horatio Gates, replying to a letter from Livingston, American minister to France, discusses the Haitian Revolution, the Louisiana Purchase, Napoleon, and other French notables.

GLC06611

Showing results 1 - 25