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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 William Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00748 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 3 February 1779 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; 22.6 x 18.5 cm. Order a Copy

Is in Philadelphia to suggest new ordnance regulations to a [Congressional?] committee. Of the military, writes, "We are in great want of Lead- The board of War have desir'd me to write to Boston to inquire which quantity can be gotten there and at the neighboring towns and at what price- I wish you to make the inquiry- or rather to get some person to make it for you as the Gentleman speculators may suspect from your connection that you want it for the public and advance their friends in proportion... But let it be done I beseech you so cautiously that it may not be suspected to be for the public use..." Comments on business concerning family and friends. Notes that Benedict Arnold is to be married to Peggy Shippen, "of one of the first families in this place." Signs in the margin of page three.

[draft]
Philadelphia 3 February 1779
My dear Brother
I wrote you last week from this place. I am still here. the regulations of the Ordnance department being in my [illegible] in many instances, and on my representing it I was order'd down here in order to have some that would be more proper - I have succeeded so far as to get the Committee to agree to a report and I have no doubt Congress will Confirm it.
I thank you for kind Letter of the 14th ultimo. The discontent which you mention with respect to the calling in the two emissions, was at first at this place [2] very great but the spirited Men created a fund to exchange for the poor people and it satisfied them. Matters are now easy. every reasonable person sees and acknowledges The propriety of the measure. It most undoubtedly will be attended with the most salutary consequences -
We are in great want of Lead - The board of War have desir'd me to write to Boston to inquire which quantity can be gotten there and at the neighboring towns and at what price - I wish you to make the inquiry or rather to get some person to make it for you as the Gentlemen speculators may suspect from your connection That you want it for the public and advance their friends in proportion - Inquire how many Tons [3] can be had at Newbury Port Salem Portsmouth &c - But let it be done I beseech you so cautiously that it may not be suspected to be for the public use - write me the result as speedily as possible so that I may communicate it to the board - Mrs Know writes me Word that the Miss Winslows are come out - I hope to let out from this in a day or two. Give my Love to my friend Mr Peirce[.] I will write him from Camp - I am glad you have gotten into the old store - I thank you for the little Pamphlet - The Girls are the same every where - at least some of them - They love a red Coat [illegible] - our friend Arnold is going to be married to a beautiful and Accomplish'd young Lady a miss Shippen - of the best families in this place - Adieu my dear friend
HKnox

[address leaf]
Mr William Knox
Boston.
[docket #1]
From B. Genl Knox
Phila. 3d. Febr 1779.
[docket #2]
very interesting
letter from
Gen Knox to his
Bro. Wm about
scarcity of lead
for bullets and
mentioning that
his friend Arnold
was about
marrying Miss
Shippen -

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Knox, William, 1756-1795
Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801
Arnold, Margaret Shippen, 1760-1804

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