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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 George Washington

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.01006 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: Peekskill, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 2 July 1781 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 29.7 x 19.1 cm. Order a Copy

Recently arrived in Peekskill. Expresses disappointment that Washington had moved by the time he arrived. Asks Washington to write to the Board of War if he plans to alter the time of arrival of stores sent to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In a post script, writes, "If your Excellency should be engag'd in any operations, which you intend to lead to immediate action I hope I may with confidence expect your Summons ... "

[[Draft]
Peeks-Kill 2d July 1781
[inserted - different hand: HK to Washington]
[struck: Dear Sir] Sir
I came to this place today to take your Excellencys ultimate directions, when the Park [struck: shall] [inserted: should] join the Army, & to take any other orders your Excellency should please to give me, but I was di[s]ap[p]ointed by the army & Your Excellency having moved [strike-out] I presume the Laboratory preparations will be in such fowardness by Sunday next that we might then move without retarding any thing material. The Artificers might remain longer.
If your Excellency should think proper to alter the time of Arrival of the Stores from Philadelphia I [strike-out] pray your Excellency to write to the board of War on that subject. I beg the favor of a speedy [2] [struck: answer and am with mo]

I am your Excellencys
most obedient sert
H Knox
[struck: Colonel Pickering Q.M.G.]

His Excellency General Washington

If your Excellency should be engag'd in any operations, which you intend [struck: may] [inserted: to] lead to immediate action I hope I may with confidence expeed your Summons, even previous to the time mentioned above.
I beg the favor of a speedy answer. & am & ca

[address]
To
His Excy. Gen. Washington
2d July 1781.

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Washington, George, 1732-1799

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