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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 John Adams

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00403 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Manuscript letter Date: 29 July 1776 Pagination: 1 p. ; 24.8 x 19.8 cm. Order a Copy

Later copy of the original. Notifies Adams' that a founder named Mr. Byers is on his way to Philadelphia to make cannons for the artillery. Seeks Adams' support. Also emphasizes the importance of working copper mines in New Jersey. Adams was then a member of the Continental Congress.

[draft]
To John Adams
NYork July 29 1776
Sir
Mr Paine has done me the honor to write to me on the subject of casting cannon, in the consequence of which Mr Byers a cannon founder from this place has proceeded to Philadelphia. I take the liberty to beg he may be set to work immediately, and if upon a large scale the advantages must be proportionate, as every hint to a Gentleman acting in your important station may be attended with good consequences, I also take the liberty of mentioning the importance of the working the Copper mine in the Jersies. the members of Congress from that Province can without doubt give you some good information respecting it. I am inform'd if the works were repair'd 100 tons a year might be gotten from it. if so it is of infinite consequence that it should be look'd into. I hope the importance of the affair will be a sufficient excuse for my troubling you with it. Wishing you every blessing in life I am with the utmost
Respect Your most Obt
Hble Servant
Henry Knox

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Adams, John, 1735-1826

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