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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 Lucy Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00560 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: Morristown, New Jersey Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 31 March 1777 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; 32.3 x 21 cm. Order a Copy

Loves her and thinks of her constantly. Thinks America will soon rise and Britain fall. Sees the recent arrival of arms as a positive sign from above. Feels the war has lost all virtue. If not for her he think he would not have the will to live. Decides to sell his horses to help William Knox raise money. Thinks Colonel Jackson can help with this, feels they are worth one hundred pounds, and hopes to sell them to a jockey named Cook.

[draft]
No. 4. Morris -Town 31st March 1777.
I received the happiness of yours of the 18th instant for which my Love receive my sincere affection. Language fails when I attempt to decribe the exalted pleasure which a Letter written by your hand gives me - and tis a pleasure that cannot [cloy] - from this fear I beleive my Lucy omitted to my great mortification to write me by the post - pray dont neglect to write by the post for that is the time [struck: that] [inserted: to which] I make up my mind to receive Letters from you -Yes my dearest self I always think upon you and if business should for a moment interrupt the thoughts the instant its over you return to my fond heart again - I feel for you and weep for you. The time my dearest will arrive when you and I shall be united not more to be seperated in this Life not that to come - I am much oblg'd to you for your [nerves] [strikeout] - The enemy and we are laying on our oars - What think you of a french War - what think you of the Call [2] of providence to America in bringing in so many arms ammunition &c - notwithstanding the Case of our very milignant enemies, for my own part I bow with Gratitude to that high power who putteth down and seteth up - America under his smiles will win, but ah! my Lucy the fall of empires [struck: which Attends time, Collects] Which when full of vice crush by their own weight [illegible] to destruction must attend America - Virtue long since seems to have taken her fight from this Ball - no Stability here nothing worthy for our Souls to attach themselves to here indeed my Lucy were it not for you at my periods of Contemplation I should be sick and devoutly long to take my departure to that land from whose bourn no traveller 'evr returnd - and yet I have not been the sport of Fortune or met with any unusual misfortunes - but this earth does not upon a narrow examination appear to be fit for an [illegible] Residence of an immortal Spirit - Give my Love to Billy and tell him I have received his affectionate Letter and that far from opposing his happiness I will do every thing [3] in my power to contribute to it - my Horses at Worcester I think will be the source of great expence I have therefore determin'd to dispose of them - Let Billy Consult Colo Jackson about the mode of selling them - I think Cook the Horse Jockey might make the most of them, they are beautiful creatures and Cook 80 Lawful and with expences I suppose a £100 - I should not like to lose any thing by them, and beleive they would readily sell in Boston for £100 - or £120 - This will help Billey to make up the sum - kiss my babe and bless it and by him who protects the innocent to bless it - and for your sake I sincerely wish my interest in the high Court above was such that I could unblushingly speake my prayers for your Welfare and happiness - I am my dearest Blessing wholly totally and invariably Your Most Affectionate
Harry Knox
Mrs. Knox
[address leaf]
Mrs. Lucy Knox
Boston
[docket]
Morris Town
21st March 1777.

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

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