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.

Washington, George (1732-1799) to Thomas Mumford, Groton, re: begging for gunpowder

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 #: GLC01117 Author/Creator: Washington, George (1732-1799) Place Written: Cambridge Type: Letter signed Date: 13 February 1776 Pagination: 1 p. + addr. 31 x 20 cm Order a Copy

Docketed. Containing the comment that gunpowder "will be of the utmost service to the cause of Liberty & America." Free franked "On the service of the United Colonies" (probably not GW's hand), but not signed.

Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

Cambridge 13th Feb[ruar]y 1776
Sir
Colonel Fisher Gay of Farmington in Hartford County, has informed me, that some powder was, by you imported, for the use of particular [struck: inland] inland towns in the Colony of Connecticut, the great want we are in, of that necessary article, obliges me to to send Colonel Gay, to borrow, or purchase as much, as he can possibly procure, I beg Sir that you will give him every assistance in your power, in negotiating this Important business - it will be of the utmost service to the cause of Liberty & America, & it will very much oblige

Sir
Your Most H[umble] S[ervan]t
Go: Washington
Thomas Mumford Esqr.

Address:
On the Service of the United Colonies
To Thomas Mumford Esqr
[struck: Broughton]
Groton

Washington, George, 1732-1799
Mumford, Thomas, 1728-1799

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources