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.

Forrest, James (fl. 1777-1781) to Roberts & Son Esquires

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01450.223 Author/Creator: Forrest, James (fl. 1777-1781) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 9 February 1781 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket ; 23 x 18.3 cm. Order a Copy

Forrest, an ensign in the British Army, writes to London to say that in the list of the army of 1780, Ensigns Goodair and Kent have mistakenly been given rank over him. Hopes they will fix the mistake. Claims that recent personnel changes might make it of some consequence to him. His date of commission was 22 December 1777.

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