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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.

Gates, Horatio (1728-1806) [Knox's copy of a letter from Horatio Gates to Silas Talbot]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00775 Author/Creator: Gates, Horatio (1728-1806) Place Written: Providence, Rhode Island Type: Letter Date: 10 July 1779 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 29.6 x 19.2 cm. Order a Copy

General Gates declares, "The Glory you and all under your Commd. have gained will be a lasting honour to you & them. I desire you will present my thanks to the Officers & seamen, and acquaint them how Sensible I am of the good service they have done their Country."

Talbot commanded the sloop Argo in 1779, which patrolled the Long Island Sound and beyond. Talbot was noted by Congress for his success during the Revolutionary War in taking many British prizes.

A Copy of a Letter from Major General Gates dated Providence 10th July 1779
Dear Sir/
The receipt of your Letter by Captn Handy, gave infinite pleasure & satisfaction
The Glory you and all under your Commd- have gained will be a lasting honour to you & them. I desire you will present my thanks to the Officers & seamen, and acquaint them how Sensible I am of the good service they have done their Country.
I approve intirely of your coming [strikeout] with the sloop to providence, but in doing this, I entreat you Act with all necessary Circumspection As to the prizes do with them what seems best in your Opinion and that of the persons principally concerned: I desire you will not have any more dealings with Mr Proud, his last Bills were so exorbitant- I am Sir
Your affectionate
Humble Servant
Horatio Gates

[docket]
A Copy of a Letter
from Major General
Gates To
Silas Talbot

Gates, Horatio, 1728-1806
Talbot, Silas, 1751-1813

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