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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.

Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to Alexander McDougall

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00220 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: Lake George, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 17 December 1775 Pagination: 1p. : docket ; 18.4 x 15.3 cm. Order a Copy

Docket is written in Knox's hand. Asks Colonel McDougall to use his influence to have the listed shells sent to Cambridge, Massachusetts, immediately. In a post script, asks that McDougall inform George Washington if he cannot obtain the listed items. When Knox was in New York City a month earlier (en route to Ticonderoga to retrieve ordnance for American forces in Massachusetts), McDougall had promised to assist him in obtaining artillery by exerting influence on a committee representing the Second Provincial Congress (see GLC02437.00212). Written from Fort George in Lake George, New York.

[draft]
Sir
When I was at New York I did not know of any 13 Inch Mortars a number of which I found at Ticonderoga - I must be you sir that you would use your influence that there be sent immediately to Camp at Cambridge the following number of shells. You are too well acquainted with the Importance of the request to want [illegible] and additional motive for the utmost expedition.
The Business upon which I came up here has succeeded very well
I am with great
respect Your oblig'd
and Most Hble Servant
Henry Knox
Inch
500 - 13. - Shells
200 5 7/10 do
400 4 ½ do
If these are not to be had please inform Genl Washington Immediately
ColWashington Immediately
Colo McDougall NYork

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
McDougall, Alexander, 1732-1786

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