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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.

Sears, Isaac (1730-1786) to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.01418 Author/Creator: Sears, Isaac (1730-1786) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 16 May 1782 Pagination: 2 p. ; 23.5 x 19.2 cm. Order a Copy

Written by Sears, who was known for his early and vehement support of the patriots in New York, to Major General Knox. References Knox's letters of 23 January and 1 May. Says his first "orders" are paid and the other will be paid when due. Is happy he could offer his services to Knox and his wife. Refrains from speaking on political matters, but hopes to be able to see Knox in New York soon. Says "it appears to me the heart of the American War is near at an end, but don't believe we shall have a peace very soon, unless the French and Spanish gains some great advantage over the British in the West Indies." Says if the rumors of "the Battle of two fleets to Windward" are true, then Jamaica "must fall."

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