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.

Hunter, James (fl. 1781) to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.01216 Author/Creator: Hunter, James (fl. 1781) Place Written: Fredericksburg, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 9 October 1781 Pagination: 2 p. + addr. + docket Order a Copy

Duplicate of GLC02437.01217. In response to Knox's letter ordering Hunter to send iron and ordnance to James River (GLC02437.01193), Hunter explains how he has complied and what problems he has encountered. Also mentions naval engagements involving Dutch ships. The Continental Army was then executing the siege of Yorktown.

[Excerpt:]
I have account of a smart Engagement between six Dutch Ships of the Line, & nine British Ships of the Line on the 5th August near the mouth of the Baltic, in which the British were defeated.

Hunter, James, fl. 1781
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

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