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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.

Greene, Nathanael (1742-1786) to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00318 Author/Creator: Greene, Nathanael (1742-1786) Place Written: Long Island, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 29 May 1776 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket ; 30.3 x 20.3 cm. Order a Copy

Explains that he must delay reconnaissance of King's Bridge (Kingsbridge) because he has to go to New Uttrick [Utrecht] on Long Island to conduct business with a committee there. Relays a report of two British ships spotted "off the offing" the previous night. Kingsbridge connected the northern tip of Manhattan to the mainland. The Continental Army evacuated Manhattan through there in October, 1776.

[draft]
Camp on Long Island May 29 1776
Dear Sir
I am obligd to defer going up to Kings Bridge till another day, being under an Obligation to go to New Uttrick this morning and to wait on the Committee of this Town this Afternoon about some business - Colo Chambers reported last Night that two Ships was seen off in the offing come in agin I will endeavor to see you this Afternoon and set up some other time for Reconnoitering the ground up & about Kings Bridge - My Compliments & Mrs Greene to your Lady[.] Believe me to be with the highest esteem your Most obedt humble Servant
N Greene
[address leaf]
To
Col Knox
New York
[docket]
Genl Greene
May/ 76

Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

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