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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.

Jackson, Henry (1747-1809) to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00482 Author/Creator: Jackson, Henry (1747-1809) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 7 November 1776 Pagination: 2 p. : address ; 31.8 x 17.6 cm. Order a Copy

Discusses Knox infrequent correspondence and attributes it to him being "in one of the most active Situations in the whole army." Is happy to hear Knox is getting over an illness. Mentions Knox becoming increasingly fat. Discusses the scarcity and inconsistency of news reaching Boston. He is especially disturbed by the effects of false, positive news. Fears that the British might attack when the current army's enlistment ends. Laments not enlisting last year and hopes for a solution to the manpower problem. Notes that a privateer has taken a prize bound for Halifax from London.

[draft]
Boston, Novr: 7 1776
Dear Harry
Last Even'g I recd. your's of 26 Octor: given'g a very particular Acct. of the situation of our Army, for which am much Oblige to you - thinks the only line I have recd: from you these 15 or 16 days, I dont mean to find fault for you not write'g. for by what I can learn by People that come from Camp you are hurre'd all most to death, and have no time you can call your own - I think you are in one of the most active situations in the whole army - and I hope you receive pay accordingly - My dear friend I heartly rejoice with you in get'g better of your [Case] Illness, and pray dont exert your selfe too much for by what I can learn you grow amaze'g fat, and one sunden turn may carry you off the state of Action - Good he even forbid the Thought -
We In Boston are most [Shock'g] on it for New's, since the new regulation of the Post, there's no Letters come by the Post, all the new's we gett is by hearsay - it would make you laugh to hear the different Acct: we have every hour and the most unaccountable Story's, Such as our kill'g 1000 at one place 1200 at another take'g 500 Hessian's Prisoners - and that our Army are Carring all before them - I think [2] I think such Acct: as there hurt the Cause and we are made to belive that we are Carring all before our, whne at the same time they are get'g every advantage - I am affraid you want men and I wish the Generale would find for all the men that are able bear armes, and finish the affair before the Last of Decemr: I tremble at the though of that time when the Old Army's time will be out - I dare say the Enemy are acquant'd with the time, and will strike a severe blow. I am unhappy that I am not in the Army - I wish I had join'd it Last winter I dont know what to think about it I am at a stand what to do - some times I am determined too - at other times am at a Loss - I wish and pray the time may come when we shall all be call'd for which will settle matter with me - I have new only that a Privateers belong to the State has taken a Large Ship from London bound to Halifax with English good's on board - worth £30.000 - Sterg
I am dear Harry your friend
HG

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

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