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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, William (1756-1795) to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00609 Author/Creator: Knox, William (1756-1795) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 4 June 1777 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; 32.3 x 21 cm. Order a Copy

Comments on his recent sickness, noting that "by riding out often, eating no animal food, & by drinking nothing of a spiritous kind... I have been sensibly losing flesh to a great degree." Complains of the high prices charged for books he is procuring (William was in charge of Henry Knox's bookstore). Has had difficulty procuring saddle cloths for Henry. As in letters from 3 June and 27 May, William awaits approval to join Henry. William has raised enough money to cover his expenses, and hopes to travel to Henry's location in Morristown, New Jersey, with Colonel Crane (possibly John Crane). Writes, "Harry I know you think some times that that Brother Bill of yours is a selfish fellow & that he thinks more about his own pleasure & consults his own fancy in preference to your interest, but I solemnly declare if I know any thing of my own Heart that had your interest been wholly mine I should have left this place long e'er..." In the margin of page three, informs Henry that his daughter, Lucy, can walk the length of a room.

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Knox, William, 1756-1795
Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1776-1854

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