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.

Paine, Robert Treat (1731-1814) to Henry Knox

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 #: GLC02437.00506 Author/Creator: Paine, Robert Treat (1731-1814) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20 June 1776 Pagination: 1 p. : 18.1 x 16 cm. Order a Copy

Asks Knox for a response to a separate letter. Informs Knox that "Congress has ordered some Iron field pieces to be cast." Wishes to know the "state of our furnace at N York," so he can decide if the cannon should be cast there. Also wishes Knox good luck in battle. Refer to GLC02437.00365 for Knox's reply.

Robert Treat Paine served in the Continental Congress from 1774-1776, and was a member of the Cannon Committee. He was later attorney general of Massachusetts, delegate to the constitutional convention, and judge of the Massachusetts supreme court. Published in Letters of Delegates to Congress: Volume 4 May 16, 1776 - August 15, 1776. Please refer to GLC02437.00379 for related correspondence.

Philad.a June 20.th 1776 -
Dear Sr I received y.rs of June 10.th & hoped you would favour me with a particular answer to my Letter to wch I take the liberty to referr you, you promised me a communication of some experiments, I hope you will not forget it - I want much to hear the state of the Air furnace at NYork - Congress have ordered some iron feild peices to be cast I wish to know if they can be made at that Furnace - pray be as particular in your answer to my first letter as you can & write me by the Post - I sincerely wish S.r you may find satisfaction in yr Office honor & Victory if you are attacked
Yr friend & Servt
RTPaine

Paine, Robert Treat, 1731-1814
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources