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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 #: GLC02437.00627 Author/Creator: Jackson, Henry (1747-1809) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter Date: 19 July 1777 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; 20 x 15.7 cm. Order a Copy

Colonel Jackson asks, "What think you of the loss of Ticonderoga, it is in general believ'd here, that that Fortress was sold to the enemy- as for my part, I shall suspend my Judgement till I can hear more of the particulars." Discusses recent news from France that "all France is Arm'g their Fleet and Army..." to assist America. Also notes that a private letter from Dr. [Benjamin] Franklin to a gentleman in America suggests that "a War was inevertable," (possibly inevitable). Mentions the British recapture of their frigate the Fox, which had been taken by the Americans earlier. Notes that unless the court assists, he will not be able to fill his regiment. Asks about the "affair of the Frenchman," declaring that if du Coudray is appointed the head of artillery. Declares that du Coudray is appointed in Knox's place, "all the Majr Generals must resign."

Knox was almost displaced of his position in charge of artillery by [du Coudray], secured by Silas Deane, the American Minister to France. Washington supported Knox, and Du Coudray was permitted to join the troops under Washington as a volunteer. Coudray drowned in September 1777.

[draft]
Boston July 19, 77
Dr Harry
What think you, of the loss of Ticonderoga, it is in general belive'd here that, that Fortress was Sold to the enemy - as for my part, [I] shall suspend my Judgement till I can hear more of the particulars -
Last Thursday a Packet arriv'd at Portsmouth from France wh: a large packet of Letters, for Congress - there was three of these Packets sail'd from France at the same time - wh. the same dispatch's - one of them was order'd to the South'd one to the North'd & one to the middle district - the express pass'd thro: here yesterday wh: the dispach for Congress - it is said they bring very important New's [2] that all France is Arm'g their Fleet and Army - that when this Packet left Nantes there was at that Port 40 sail of men War - & 10,000 Troop's bound to some part of America. Suppos'd to Quebec - there is a Private Letter from Dr Franklin to a Gentleman here inform'g him a War was inevertable. I Pray god this may be the case -
There is a Certain Acct of the Fox Frigate being Retaken & sent to Halifax - that there was a 40 & 32 Gun Ship in Chase of Cap Manley - & it is fear'd she is taken - no News of the Tarter yet - Recruit'g go's on slow - & unless the Court will do some thing for us - we never shall [3] get our Regt: half full - how goes on the Affir of the Frenchman. if he is appoint'd I think all the Majr: Generals must resign - I wish you to act with spirit in the Affair - & yet should be sorry to have you leave the Army at this time - give my regards to Majr: tell him I expect to hear from him any week - if I can be [of] service to him here will re[adily] serve him - wish'g you [text loss] and happiness - I am dear Harry
your Sincere
Friend
To
Brigr Knox
[address leaf]
To
Brigr Genl. Knox
at
Genl: Washington
Headquarters
[docket]
Letter from Col
Henry Jackson
Boston July 19th 177[7]

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809
Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
Coudray, Phillippe du, 1738-1777

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