Our Collection

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

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00985 Author/Creator: Knox, William (1756-1795) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 27 June 1781 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 20.4 x 19.5 cm. Order a Copy

Informs his brother, Brigadier General Henry Knox, he has received a sum of money [for Henry] from Colonel Henry Jackson. Discusses currency and depreciation. Reports that Colonel Sears will likely not be able to join Knox in attempting to regain New York from the British . Reports on recent problems with digestion, headaches, and "weakness of Nerves." Sends his regards to his sister -in-law.

Early in 1781, Washington was formulating plans to regain New York from the British. Instead, he used these plans as a bluff, while he and Rochambeau prepared for the Siege of Yorktown. The Continental victory at Yorktown rendered a campaign to regain New York unnecessary.

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Knox, William, 1756-1795
Knox, Jane, 1758-1817

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources