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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.

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December 16, 1782

Washington, George (1732-1799)

Letter signed

Title: to William Stephens Smith

In hand of aide-de-camp Benjamin Walker. Written to Smith, the Commissary of Prisoners to the Army. References Smith's letter of 12 December 1782. Thanks him for intelligence it contains. Disagrees with Smith's assessment on Dobbs Ferry. Says it can withstand a small surprise attack and that it was never designed to deal with a large attack. Says the daily intercourse between the inhabitants "of the lower country" with the enemy is alarming and should be broken up. Would like suggestions on how to do that.

GLC00949

25 January 1783

Smith, William Stephens (1755-1816)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Pleads on behalf of a Lieutenant Sutherland, a British officer who wishes to be exchanged as a prisoner.

GLC02437.01857

27 January 1783

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William S. Smith

Discusses the proposed prisoner exchange with Cornwallis concerning Lieutenant Sutherland. See GLC 2437.01857 for original proposal.

GLC02437.01866

28 January 1783

Smith, William Stephens (1755-1816)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses Mr. Sutherland's situation and mentions that he is sorry that circumstances did not work out in his favor. See GLC02437.01857 and GLC02437.01866 for more information.

GLC02437.01869

3 March 1783

Washington, George (1732-1799)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William S[tephens] Smith

Written by General Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Smith as commander of the post at Dobbs Ferry, New York. Discusses the problems of trading with British-occupied New York City and the issue of states ignoring the "barrier between us and the enemy."

GLC03770

27 August 1783

Smith, William Stephens (1755-1816)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Letter of introduction for a friend wishing to see West Point, New York.

GLC02437.02426

10 September 1783

Smith, William Stephens (1755-1816)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Silas Holmes

Asks for information about the treatment of prisoners at a hospital "at flat bush on Long Island." Has heard that Holmes was a prisoner of the British army and while held as a prisoner worked under Dr. Bayley. Wonders about Dr. Bayley's treatment of the wounded. Noted as a copy.

GLC02437.02489

14 October 1783

Smith, William Stephens (1755-1816)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Introduces to Knox Doctor Micalies, Surgeon General of the Hessian Troops, son of Chevalier Micalies (Michaelis), who wants to visit West Point.

GLC02437.02653

28 October 1783

Smith, William Stephens (1755-1816)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Discusses the importance of letters of introduction as they also serve as character references and have the ability to increase or ruin a person's reputation. Is pleased with the attention Knox paid to Dr. Bayley after receiving Stephens letter of introduction. Goes on to defend Dr. Bayley's character against criticism by "a few designing men."

GLC02437.02719

1785/02/24

Adams, John (1735-1826)

Autograph document signed

Title: To: King George III.

Establishing diplomatic ties with England. Letter of credentials. A true copy in Adams' hand, with clerical copies of Adams' appointment and William Smith's appointment.

GLC07946

9 April 1791

Miranda, Francisco de (1750-1816)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Miranda asks Knox to "give Col. W[illiam] S[tephens] Smith a copy of that Small Cypher I gave to you at Boston." Smith will then give Knox a letter from Miranda.

GLC02437.04912

27 July 1791

Smith, William Stephens (1755-1816)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Says his brother Captain Smith is stationed on the Southern frontier. Since the front is quiet, he would like Knox to grant him permission to visit his family, "if it is not inconsistent with the good of the service." Will be much obliged if Knox will permit him to visit New York this season.

GLC02437.05088

29 July 1791

Smith, William Stephens (1755-1816)

Document signed

Title: [Note]

Note of exchange for Henry Knox for about £281.

GLC02437.08644

3 October 1791

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Stephens Smith

Claims that a variety of circumstances has kept him from transmitting the proposals they discussed in New York. Has heard Smith is on a journey to the eastward at present and wants to know if he will be in Philadelphia in the near future. Also wants to know if there are any circumstances which will prevent him from complying with the proposals they discussed. If there are, Knox reports that arrangements can be made. Notes that they can meet at Princeton if that is convenient.

GLC02437.05182

21 October 1791

Smith, William Stephens (1755-1816)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Found Knox's letter of 3 October waiting for him upon his return from Boston. Gave William Duer a message for Knox. Since that message was written things have changed with the arrival of a minister from Great Britain [George Hammond]. Tells Knox, "I have by this post offered myself as a Candidate for the appointment at the Court of London, & upon what I conceive to be strong grounds." If he gets appointed, he believes the post "will have a very extensive influence & operation." Asks for Knox's "good offices on the subject."

GLC02437.05204

23 October 1791

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Stephens Smith

From a conversation he had with William Duer, he is concerned that Smith might have misunderstood the object of his letter and enclosure of 22 October. Tells Smith he may remember a conversation they had "in your house, relative to a favorable accommodation for the preservation of my bank stock." Says that a certain quantity of his private lands in the Waldo Patent will be "sold to you conditionally upon the approbation of your agent." Mentions financial arrangements to pay for it. Says $1,600-$2,000 must be advanced.

GLC02437.05208

25 October 1791

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Stephens Smith

Says it might be more agreeable to Smith to buy Knox's St. Lawrence lands instead of those further east. Reports "The St. Lawrence lands are excellent in quality and are opposite to James Graves Simcoe's new government in Canada, "where land is selling very high." Tells him Governor George Clinton can inform him on the lands. Declares that his proportion of the St. Lawrence lands is about 42,000 acres.

GLC02437.05211

28 October 1791

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Stephens Smith

Mentions the "subject" of Smith's last letter and praises its virtues.
Promises always to advance Smith's interests "in any degree."

GLC02437.05213

28 October 1791

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Stephens Smith

References Smith's letter dated 21 October, which he received on 25 October. Writes, "The message by Mr. Duer was upon the general concern between him and me where he says you were of opinion [it] was rather of too great magnitude to be undertaken without yourself consulting certain gentlemen in England, and that you mentioned something of a private arrangement between you and me which he had not [understood]." Hopes to get an explanation from Smith soon. The last few lines of the letter are struck, but they include the statement that "Mr.

GLC02437.05214

5 November 1791

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Ranadall

Does not know why Colonel [William Stephens] Smith has not "called on [Randall] for the acceptance," but hopes Randall will let Knox know when he finds out. Discusses making arrangements for paying his brother William's bills, and other financial issues.

GLC02437.05225

9 November 1789

Randall, Thomas (d. 1811)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Writes that he met Colonel Smith [William Stephens Smith] at the Post Office, who informed him that he would be going to Philadelphia to see Knox within the course of a month. Discusses payment of a bill of Knox's brother William; Randall will apparently take the money and pay it off to Colonel Smith. Mentions several other business concerns. "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.05231

9 November 1791

Smith, William Stephens (1755-1816)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Stamped as "free" above address. Explains that he met Captain [Thomas] Randall at the Post Office, where they made arrangements for sending monies owed by Knox to Smith (see GLC02437.05231). Also discusses the purchase of lands in Maine (related to the Waldo patent), and mentions a misunderstanding between himself and [William] Duer.

GLC02437.05232

3 December 1791

Smith, William Stephens (1755-1816)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Has tried to acquire the items Knox asked for, but has been unable to as yet. Relates how he is about to depart for Europe, unhappily, to settle family accounts and protect his family from misfortune. Describes arrangements he is making to prepare for his departure, including making sure that the President is not displeased with him for leaving. Also refers to Mrs. Smith [his wife], Mrs. [Abigail] Adams (who was his mother-in-law), and Mr. [Rufus] King. Sends his respects to Knox's wife.

GLC02437.05251

4 December 1791

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Stephens Smith

Writes that he believes, from Smith's recent letter, that he would like information on the likelihood of the result. Suggests that certain principles "must dictate a different arrangement from the one you contemplated." Trusts that Smith will act with the utmost propriety. (May be alluding to Smith's upcoming departure from America; see GLC02437.05251.)

GLC02437.05253

7 December 1791

Smith, William Stephens (1755-1816)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked "private." Thanks him for his recent letter, and writes that he is "much obliged by the intelligence it contained." Declares that he is satisfied with the arrangement, and believes he has "discharged faithfully the duty I owed my Country, my friends and myself." Adds that Knox's communications to him will always be held in confidence. (See GLC02437.05251 and GLC02437.05253 for related information.)

GLC02437.05255

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