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.

Morris, Robert (1734-1806) to Samuel and Robert Purviance

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 #: GLC01135 Author/Creator: Morris, Robert (1734-1806) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 19 April 1777 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket ; 23.4 x 19.1 cm. Order a Copy

Morris, chairman of a Congressional secret committee, acknowledges receipt of correspondence from the Purviance brothers, merchants in Baltimore, Maryland. Transmits inventories (not included) of two prize vessels, discusses a recent purchase of flour (possibly for military use) conducted by the Purviances, and relates that the committee will not purchase the prize vessels. Refers the Purviances' previous request regarding military clothing to James Mease, appointed in 1776 as clothier general. Referring to Captain James Nicholson, in command of the ship Virginia, states "It would give us pleasure to hear that the Virginia Cap Nicholson was sailed & your Bay cleared of the Enemies ships, There are several of them at Cape Henlopen where they have done much mischief." Signed by Morris, by order of the secret committee.

Signer of the U.S. Constitution.
Cape Henlopen is situated between the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean.

Morris, Robert, 1734-1806
Purviance, Robert, ?-1806
Purviance, Samuel, fl. 1777-1788
Mease, James, fl. 1776-1781
Nicholson, James, 1737-1804

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources