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.

Stevens, Ebenezer (1751-1823) to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.01042 Author/Creator: Stevens, Ebenezer (1751-1823) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 13 July 1781 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 31.5 x 18.2 cm. Order a Copy

Colonel Stevens plans to soon sail from his present location, bound for Kings Ferry, New York. Has endeavored to fulfill Knox's instructions in Knox's absence (Stevens possibly writes from New Windsor, New York). Notes that the arms available to his men at present are rusty and dirty, and expresses reluctance to march with these. Docketed by Samuel Shaw, Knox's aide.

[Excerpt:]
I find it will be attended with much inconvenience to put the 200 stand of arms you mention into the Hands of our Men - I am fearfull it will hurt their Creditt to march with them in the state which they will be when received...I would wish to avoid marching with them least the Army may think they are our own.

Stevens, Ebenezer, 1751-1823
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

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