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.

Cornell, Ezekiel (1733-1800) to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.01664 Author/Creator: Cornell, Ezekiel (1733-1800) Place Written: Verplanck, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 16 October 1782 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket ; 32.3 x 20.1 cm. Order a Copy

Written from Camp Verplank's Point, present-day Verplanck, New York. Encloses a copy of the contract from the day's General Orders. Would have liked to send a copy of the new contract but it is not yet finished; will send it when it is complete. Outlines the quantities of beef or salt pork, bread or flour, whiskey, salt, soap, and candles that are included in the ration specified in the new contract. Adds that officers are entitled to a quantity of "good West India rum" instead of the whiskey, if they prefer. Officers can take as much as they are entitled to, and accounts will be settled with the commissaries at the end of each month. Lists prices of different ration components.

Cornell, Ezekiel, 1733-1800
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

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