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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.

Washington, George (1732-1799) to Thomas Wharton, Jr.

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00639.31 Author/Creator: Washington, George (1732-1799) Place Written: Valley Forge, Pennsylvania Type: Letter signed Date: 5 April 1778 Pagination: 1 p. ; 27 x 21 cm. Order a Copy

Forwards a letter from Mrs. Mary Pemberton to Wharton, President of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania. Pemberton had requested a passport for wagons with supplies for her husband, Israel Pemberton, and other Philadelphia Quakers exiled to Virginia. Suggests indulging her request.

Notes: In the writing of Alexander Hamilton.
Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

Head Quarters Valley
Forge April 5th. 1778
Sir,
I take the liberty to inclose you a letter from Mrs. Mary Pemberton, requesting a passport for some waggons to be sent out with articles for the use of her husband and others, now in confinement. As the persons concerned are prisoners of the state, I did not think proper to comply with her request. - I have assured her, that I would transmit her letter to you, and did not doubt, but her application would meet with your ready concurrence. If you will be pleased to send the passport required to me - I will convey it by a flagg. The letter mentions one or more waggons - I dare say, you will extend the indulgence, as far as may be requisite, and consistent with propriety.

I have the honor to be
Sir
Your most Obedt Servant
Go: Washington

Washington, George, 1732-1799
Wharton, Thomas, 1735-1778
Pemberton, Mary, fl. 1778
Pemberton, Israel, 1715-1779
Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

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