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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.

Economics

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Showing results 401 - 425

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12 August 1787

Pendleton, Edmund (1721-1803)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Madison re: awaiting results of the Constitutional Convention

Anxiously awaiting the results of the Constitutional Convention. Pendleton mentions the need for a strong document and the need for the secrecy (mentions rioting over taxes).

GLC00099.123

16 August 1787

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Jackson [incomplete]

Knox writes that he and Lucy have lost their youngest daughter. Lucy's health is hurt by her grief but she is now better. Says he has been informed that Jackson has ignored Knox's warning and has not attended to his accounting with the "rigidness" that is required; therefore, he cannot say whether Jackson will receive any relief from Massachusetts. But he believes something will be granted by the Board of Treasury. Instructs Jackson to sell all of Knox's Massachusetts securities and invest in land speculation in New York.

GLC02437.03635

21 August 1787

Butler, Pierce (1744-1822)

Autograph manuscript

Title: All demands... against the United States

Quarter sheet of paper. Confirming the validity of debts incurred by the previous Congress which will devolve upon the new legislature. With addition in a different hand "The Legislature shall fulfill the Engagements and discharge the Debts of the United States."

GLC00819.13

21 August 1787

Butler, Pierce (1744-1822)

Autograph manuscript

Title: The Legislature shall fulfill the foreign engagements...

Quarter sheet, docketed on verso: "The Creditors." The word "foreign" inserted above in pencil. Date from Hutson.

GLC00819.14

25 August 1787

Butler, Pierce (1744-1822)

Autograph manuscript

Title: The regulation of Commerce or Revenue...

Half sheet regarding the federal government's regulation of ports. Blank on verso. Date from Hutson.

GLC00819.15

25 August 1787

Butler, Pierce (1744-1822)

Autograph manuscript

Title: But no regulation of Commerce or Revenue...

Quarter sheet related to #819.15. Denies the federal government the right to give favor to the ports of one state over another. Note that this contradicts #819.15. Date from Hutson.

GLC00819.16

31 August 1787

Mason, George (1725-1792)

Manuscript document

Title: [Various proposals:] The Council of State...

Large folio sheet. Unidentified handwriting. Also re: import duties, revenues, limiting terms and appointments of elected officials including the President, limits on the executive pardon authority and a rejected clause concerning revenues.

GLC00819.19

31 August - 04 September 1787

Butler, Pierce (1744-1822)

Autograph manuscript

Title: Money Bills [and] Trade [with Pinckney anecdote]

Mentions the rejection of a clause rejecting the origination of money bills; also, additions concerning debts for the common defense, rejecting taxes of limited duration, trade, age and birth requirements for President. With a Charles Pinckney story on the verso of second leaf, entitled "to be acquainted with the Talents of the person Elected."

GLC00819.21

circa 29 September 1787

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Discusses the Constitution of the United States. Declares, "But a candid examination of [the Constitution], will most probably produce a conviction that it is one of the best models of a republican government ever presented to the sons of men." Comments on different groups' opposition to the Constitution, noting that the southern states will oppose it because they think it will support the commercial interest of the north. Remarks that the Constitution will affect "the projects of the paper money..." Notes that America is seen with contempt abroad.

GLC02437.03778

28 September 1787

Board of Treasury

Printed document

Title: [A report from the Board of Treasury regarding foreign and domestic debt]

Report presented to Congress by the Board of Treasury detailing foreign and domestic debt. Includes lists of amounts on requisition by state, year and purpose. Dated in print on page 7. Signed in print on page 10 by Samuel Osgood, Walter Livingston, and Arthur Lee.

GLC02437.03668

12 November 1787

Peirce, John (fl. 1784-1787)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Gives information about events in Virginia related to ratifying the Constitution. Encloses an act [not present] "now adopted by the legislature," about calling a convention. States that, "the policy of the state is against the constitution and the union itself. a great majority of the members of the Legislature are opposed to it - but the body of the people at large continues in favor of it." Believes the representatives will cave when they return home and are influenced by the people.

GLC02437.03703

December 1787

Williams, Otho Holland (1749-1794)

Document signed

Title: [Receipt for cargo of the sloop Hannah]

Signed by Williams as Naval Officer of Baltimore. Signed by Samuel Oakford, master of the sloop. Lists all cargo on the Hannah, including olives, raisins, wine, apples, tea, and beer, among other items. Lists the names of persons to whom the items are consigned. States that the cargo was assumed in Philadelphia, and that Oakford has not broken bulk since arriving in Baltimore. Partially printed. Docketed 27 December 1787.

GLC00308.09

3 February 1788

Jackson, Henry (1747-1809)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the Massachusetts convention for ratification of the United States Constitution: "The Convention are still seting and is supposed the final vote will not be taken untill Wednesday or Thursday next-" Mentions John Hancock's support of the Constitution and his article published in the previous day's Massachusetts Centinel. Calls the Anti-Federalists "so damnable stupid and ignorant...the whole race of the Antis are a set of poor devils..." Notes that the Anti-Federalists are concerned about their pay.

GLC02437.03784

24 March 1788

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph letter

Title: to Alexander Macomb

Thanks Macomb for information related to the exports of Canada for 1787. Apologizes for his late reply, noting that Lucy, his wife, had inadvertently placed the information Macomb sent in a pile of her own papers.

GLC02437.03829

29 March 1788

Swan, James (1754-1830)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Refers to his attempts to meet with merchants and manufacturers in France. Writes, "The reason why the French in this Quarter, have not been able to sell their manufrs. as low as the English, I saw in a moment,- there is not that invention & care used as in Great Britain, to save labour- People being plenty they continue to employ them, because they have done it for a long time." Discusses the replacement of human labor with machines in French manufacturing. Notes that the Marquis de Lafayette has offered to write Swan letters of introduction.

GLC02437.03830

14 April 1788

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Clement Biddle

Knox, Secretary of War, replies to a 10 April letter from Biddle. Discusses "furnishing the Pennsylvania quota of troops with rations," noting that he wrote a public letter to Biddle on the same topic (this letter is marked "private" on the docket). Writes, "I wish the business would be worthy of your attention- The treasury are so poor that they cannot make other payments than by warrants." Regrets that he can not assist Biddle more in the matter. Noted as "a copy" on the docket.

GLC02437.03838

16 April 1788

Biddle, Clement (1740-1814)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Replies to Knox's letter from 14 April (GLC02437.03838). Says there is no prospect of any warrants being paid at the Pennsylvania Treasury. Further discusses pay warrants related to soldiers' compensation and rations. Marked "private" on the address leaf.

GLC02437.03841

16 April 1788- 9 May 1789

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Copy of a receipt related to army warrants]

Knox's signature is struck. Knox, Secretary at War, notes receipt of ten warrants from John Pierce drawn by the Board of Treasury "in favor of Michael Hillegas." Intends to forward the warrants to Jeremiah Wadsworth and to issue warrants for the payment of troops. Verso contains the signature of Philip Audebert, who signs for John Pierce. Audebert notes receipt of five warrants. Contains a note written by Jonathan Burrall, executor of the will of John Pierce. Burrall signs 9 May 1789 noting the receipt of ten warrants.

GLC02437.03842

19 April 1788

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to John Bryant

Discusses obtaining "warrants from the treasury on Connecticut for various objects" and Captain Bryant's pay. Says he put the warrants in Colonel [Jeremiah] Wadsworth's hands. Wadsworth has been instructed to inform Knox once he receives payment; Knox will then issue an order for Bryant's and Mr. Henly's pay for the last year. Comments on the settling of accounts in the ordnance department related to Bryant's pay.

GLC03432.015

10 May 1788

Ogden, Samuel (1746-1810)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses money due on Mr. Webber's goods and the depreciation of currency (possibly referring to James Webber, a London merchant). Writes, "The political State of this Country I hope and trust is very much altering as to monied transactions, so that a depreciated Medium cannot much longer be made a payment for a just demand." Marked as a copy. Written at Delaware Works, located in what is now Morrisville, Pennsylvania, near Trenton, New Jersey.

GLC02437.03868

15 May 1788

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph letter

Title: to Sarah Lyons Flucker

Wishes he could give her "a precise idea of the estate, of our late mother in this Country [Hannah Waldo Flucker] one half of which belongs to your children." Notes that the land is not yet divided and its boundaries have to be verified by the state of Massachusetts. Hopes to be able to devote the next three months to settling the respective boundaries and legal intricacies of the Muscongus or Waldo Patent for the Waldo heirs. Notes that sale of the Falmouth estate lands should be postponed until a higher price can be obtained.

GLC02437.03873

28 June 1789

Jackson, Henry (1747-1809)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses unrest and states that "nothing would quiet the People, and a revolution would certainly take place on the patent..." States that Thomas, Brown, and others wish "to be treated exactly as the State treats these Settlers - by giving them 100 acres of Land they paying five dollars for it... If you will comply with their terms, they will ensure it to you forever - if not, War - War is the Word - they are both artfull fellows and I believe damd Rascals." Goes on to discuss the health of the President and near completion of the Revenue Bill.

GLC02437.10220

July 1788

King, Joseph (fl. 1788)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Solicits employment in the War Office. Writes "I have spent near about Eight years in the service of my Country, and for the Service have Received Sundry Securities which as yet do me but very little good... For the want of some payments, or only the Interest on those Securities I am unable to enter into any business- By means of wounds received in Battle and Imprisonment with the Enemy I am Rendered incapable of Labour..." Docket notes "answered verbally."

GLC02437.03951

22 August 1788

Knox, William (1756-1795)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

William, managing the office of Secretary of War in Henry's absence, discusses the people in Boston and their opinion of him and Henry. Mentions the flourishing state of trade in [Boston]. Plans to take a restful two day vacation to the country. Received reports from Arthur St. Clair, Governor of the Northwest Territory, and General Josiah Harmar. They arrested six Chippewas suspected of murder. Refers to Mr. Martin's appointment by Congress as an agent to the Chickasaw and Cherokee Indians.

GLC02437.03973

3 September 1788

Webber, James (fl. 1784-1797)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Webber, a merchant from London, discusses business with Knox. Commenting on an unpaid debt owed to him by Samuel Ogden, writes, "Respecting Mr Ogden he alone is responsible for any alteration that may have taken place in the paper currency of N Jersey... his engagements not being fulfilled in point of time has been a very great disappointment to us... " Requests Knox to obtain the money Ogden owes and transmit it to Webber. Also notes an outstanding debt owed by William, Henry's brother. Notes that Mrs.

GLC02437.03981

Showing results 401 - 425

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