Our Collection

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.

McKean, Thomas (1734-1817) to Joseph Reed

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00131 Author/Creator: McKean, Thomas (1734-1817) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Letter signed Date: 8 October 1781 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 23 x 19 cm. Order a Copy

Written by McKean, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, as President of the Confederation Congress to Reed as President of the supreme executive council in Pennsylvania. Says that Brigadier General William Irvine (McKean has written Irwine) sets out tomorrow to take command of Fort Pitt and might need the assistance of the local militia. Sends along a copy of Irvine's instructions (not included here). Says he "rests assured" that every measure of support will be given to Irvine by the militia. Written 11 days before the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown.

Sir,
As Brigadier General Irwine purposes to set out to morrow in order to take the command at Fort Pitt, and may very probably have occasion for the aid of the Militia in the vicinity of that Post, I thought it proper to procure a copy of his instructions and to transmit them to you; they are accordingly herewith inclosed, and I rest assured every suitable measure will be [2] adopted for affording him effectual support by the militia in case of necessity. -
I have the honor to be with the
highest respect,
Sir,
Your Excellency's
Most obedient Servant
ThoM:Kean President
Philadelphia
October 8th. 1781.

His Excellency
Joseph Reed Esquire

[docket]
1781 October 8th,, From
His Excellency Thomas
McKean Esqr. President
of Congress -

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources