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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1782

King, Rufus (1755-1827)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks for his help in obtaining an extract of a letter. Dated added later in pencil.

Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

GLC02437.08156

27 February 1785

Monroe, James (1758-1831)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Francis Mercer

Monroe, a member of the Confederation Congress, informs Mercer, member of the Virginia House of Delegates, that a secretary will soon be appointed to assist John Adams as Minister to Great Britain. States that James McHenry, also a member of the Confederation Congress, has not mentioned a nomination for this position. Informs that the Indian Commissioner, a friend of Mercer's, presented himself before Congress. States that there are many important issues before Congress, including propositions for raising men and the regulation of commerce.

GLC02861

14 March 1785

King, Rufus (1755-1827)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

King, a Continental Congressman, attempts to persuade Knox to accept the appointment of Secretary at War. Notes that although the salary is low, there will be a possibility for an increase, or an allowance for rent and traveling expenses.

GLC02437.03111

28 March 1785

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rufus King

Knox discusses his appointment as Secretary at War. Informs King, a Continental Congressman, "It is true I was fully of opinion that the salary was considerably inadequate to the honorable support of so confidential an officer, but I thought it would be injurious to the dignity of Congress to state that circumstance as an objection to my acceptance..." Hopes a future Congress will consider increasing the position's allowance.

GLC02437.03119

13 June 1785

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rufus King

Discusses the line of inheritance for the Waldo patent, beginning with Brigadier General Samuel Waldo and passing down to his wife, Lucy Flucker Knox. Also provides news about friends and acquaintances, such as the fact that General [Rufus] Putnam will accept an appointment as surveyor.

GLC02437.09127

15 June 1785

Jay, John (1745-1829)

Letter signed

Title: to Samuel Johnson

Also signed by James Duane and Walter Livingston with Jay as agents for New York, and Elbridge Gerry, Samuel Holton, and Rufus King as agents for Massachusetts. Discusses Johnson's appointment as a judge in a boundary dispute between Massachusetts and New York. Urges him to accept the nomination and informs him that compensation will be satisfactory. Tipped to a border.

GLC03381

27 June 1785

King, Rufus (1755-1827)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

King, a Continental Congressman, discusses Knox's eastern [land] claim: "I am uninformed of the merits of your eastern claim, but presume they are such as sufficiently warrant the report of the committee on your applications, and therefore am concerned at the decision of the House." Relates that Colonel [Benjamin] Tupper should "discharge the duty of surveyor for a given period, after which [Rufus] Putnam may come on."

Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

GLC02437.03159

17 October 1785

King, Rufus (1755-1827)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Bowdoin

King and Gerry, members of the Continental Congress, transmit information concerning two acts of Congress to Bowdoin, Governor of Massachusetts. State that these acts (not included) contain instructions to an unspecified foreign minister. Request Bowdoin's secrecy regarding the transmitted information. Instruct Bowdoin to forward the information to John Adams, Minister to England. Slightly torn on the top of the second page.

GLC01674

26 November 1786

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Manuscript letter

Title: to Elbridge Gerry

Later copy of GLC02437.03353. Across the top is a note stating that this letter was copied by Townsend Ward of Philadelphia and the copy was received 16 December 1857. Writes that he and Mr. [Samuel] Osgood are investigating any openings in the public offices in New York, but have found none. Writes, "My brother whose resignation I hinted to you was possible, has decided to stay where he is. Indeed in the present state of commerce he can have no other prospects. Mr.

GLC02437.03352

26 November 1786

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge Gerry

Almost identical in content to GLC02437.03352, which is a later copy of this letter. Writes that he and Mr. [Samuel] Osgood are investigating any openings in the public offices in New York, but have found none. Writes, "My brother whose resignation I hinted to you was possible, has decided to stay where he is. Indeed in the present state of commerce he can have no other prospects. Mr. Osgood & myself, will keep this object constantly in view, and in case of any vacancies or appointments, we shall use our utmost interest on the occasion.

GLC02437.03353

29 November 1786

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jeremiah Wadsworth

Writes to Colonel Wadsworth regarding a loan Wadsworth and Robert Morris are arranging with Congress. Declares that Mr. [possibly Rufus] King will have explained everything, hopefully to Wadsworth's satisfaction. Wadsworth will receive a letter from the Board of Treasury and the terms of the proposed contracts. Knox has already showed the information to Mr. Morris, and he will be getting a letter as well.

GLC02437.03354

6 December 1786

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rufus King

Writes that he has "nothing of consequence to communicate." Discusses the death of a Mr. Nash, as well as the doings of friends and colleagues including Mr. [possibly Edward] Carrington and Mr. [possibly Robert] Morris. Mentions trying to contact members of Congress who seem to have left the New York area. Sends regards to Mrs. King.

GLC02437.03366

13 December 1786

King, Rufus (1755-1827)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports that [Daniel] Shays disbanded his party on Sunday & Monday last. King reports that the stageman he is traveling with saw the disbanded insurgents. The stageman said they seemed crestfallen; "some of them say they will go no more, others that they are not yet tired of the business." Includes other information provided by the stageman, such as the fact that Shays will stay at Worcester until he receives word from the Governor. Postscript makes a reference to what appears to be the dispute over the New York-Massachusetts border.

GLC02437.03375

13 December 1786

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jeremiah Wadsworth

Has received Wadsworth's last letter, and so has the Board of Treasury. Hopes he will not delay coming; everything rests on him, as everything stops until he and Mr. [Robert] Morris sign the papers (they are preparing a loan to Congress). Writes, "For Gods sake do not delay a single moment longer than is indispensably necessary." Discusses the Shays insurgents and mentions that he does not believe they will recede. Will write via Mr. [Rufus] King if he hears any more news.

GLC02437.03376

1787

Rogers, J., (fl. 1860)

Engraving

Title: Members of the Federal Convention 1787

One engraving entitled "Members Of The Federal Convention" dated 1787. Portraits of Rufus King, John, Dickinson, Gouverneur Robert Morris, Oliver Ellsworth, John Rutledge. Engraved by J. Rogers.

GLC08878.0109

1787

Rogers, J., (fl. 1860)

Engraving

Title: Members of the Federal Convention 1787

One engraving entitled "Members of the Federal Convention 1787." Portraits of Rufus King, John Dickinson, Olliver Ellsworth, John Rutledge, and Gouverneur Morris. Engraved by J. Rogers.

GLC08878.0123

5 February 1787

Lincoln, Benjamin (1733-1810)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes in full, "As I have not had time to write to you fully on the subject of our movements & the state of matters in this part of the country I have caused copies to be made out of such papers as will give you the best information on these points. I wish you would let Mr. [likely Rufus] King & our other delegates see them." "Free" handwritten on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.03444

14 February 1787

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Manuscript document

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Marked "copy." Body of the letter and signature in the hand of Robert Pemberton, Knox's aide. Discusses Lincoln's success at stopping Shays' Rebellion and dispersing the insurgents. Mentions how the rapid defeat of the insurgents will affect orders previously given to Colonel [David] Humphreys and Colonel [Henry] Jackson to move their regiments to Springfield, Massachusetts. Says he has been keeping General Washington and Congress abreast of Lincoln's actions.

GLC02437.03453

25 February 1787

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stephen Higginson

Thanks Higginson for his observations on the current state of the government. Says Higginson's views are "perfectly just and well founded" and that Higginson has "a greater degree of attention, and thought on the subject, than most other gentlemen..." Shares his thoughts about the state of affairs, noting "the whole must be taken to peices [sic], and a new one erected on the bases of publick Liberty and public happiness..." Notes Congress has acceded to the idea of a Convention.

GLC02437.03468

27 May 1787

King, Rufus (1755-1827)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

King discusses the Constitutional Convention: "Seven states assembled on the 25th and appointed Gen. Washington President & Maj. Jackson Secretary of the Convention. If Connecticut, Georgia & Massachusetts are represented tomorrow, we will have ten States - I hope this will be the case but the event is uncertain - No proposition has been agitated except in private conversation, and excepting the mere organization of the convention we are as when you left us." "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

GLC02437.03556

3 June 1787

King, Rufus (1755-1827)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the Constitutional Convention. Relates that Daniel Jenifer, Daniel Carroll, and James Mercer are expected to arrive in a few days to represent Maryland. Writes, "Eleven states are represented, but we proceed slowly - I am unable to form any precise opinion of the Result - Nothing however very important has turned up and issued unfavorably ... " "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.03563

11 July 1787

King, Rufus (1755-1827)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes in full, "I wish it was in my power to inform you that we had progressed a single step since you left us - I say progressed, this expression must be defined by my own political creed, which you are very well acquainted with - I can form no conjecture of the Report, or separation, of the convention - If I had returned to N-YK with you or with our very able and sagacious Friend [Alexander] Hamilton, I should have escaped much Vexation, enjoyed much pleasure and have gratified the earnest wishes & desires of Mrs. King."

Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

GLC02437.03602

15 July 1787

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph letter

Title: to Rufus King

Discusses politics in France, and how American statesmen are being influenced by the structure of government in France. Writes, "The conduct of France in establishing provincial assemblies, is seized with great eagerness by the advocates for the state systems [...] But they do not bring into view the strong cement of the royal authority, supported by two hundred thousand soldiers - The state systems, are the accursed thing which will prevent our being a national character." Declares his support of a strong, centralized government.

GLC02437.03605

22 July 1787

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rufus Putnam

Discusses surveys of the Muscongus Patent prepared by Mr. [possibly Enoch] Titcomb and Captain Stone. Asks whether the surveys have been submitted yet to the Massachusetts General Court's Committee on Eastern lands. Would like to find out about what recourse to the Court they have if any problems arise. Wonders especially how the Court might intervene in any conflicts between Knox and settlers claiming ownership or rights to his land.

GLC02437.03611

28 October 1787

King, Rufus (1755-1827)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox that Henry Jackson will send him the "Resolve for calling a convention and tell you every thing relative to the situation of public affairs with more precision and particulars than is in my power." Discusses his efforts in advocating for the passage of the Constitution, such as speaking to the representatives from Maine, and trying to correct "some ill impression" they received.

GLC02437.03684

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