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.

Johnston, Francis (1749-1815) to Persifor Frazer

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 #: GLC01450.457.11 Author/Creator: Johnston, Francis (1749-1815) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: circa 1778 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket ; Order a Copy

Discusses American troop movements, including those of General Gates and Comte d'Estaing. Asks Frazer to send Andrew, since he is in need of a good waiter.

Francis Johnston was a Colonel in the Fifth Pennsylvania.
Persifor Frazer was a lieutenant colonel in the Fifth Pennsylvania. A prisoner of the British from11 September 1777 until his escape 17 March, 1778. Later rose to the rank of Brigadier General of the Pennsylvania Militia.

Johnston, Francis, 1749-1815
Frazer, Persifor, 1736-1792
Estaing, Charles Henri, comte d', 1729-1794
Gates, Horatio, 1728-1806

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources