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.

Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to Lord Stirling [William Alexander]

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

A high-resolution version of this object is available for registered users. LOG IN

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.01712 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: West Point, New York Type: Autograph letter Date: 19 November 1782 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 33.9 x 20.3 cm. Order a Copy

Mentions that he has received stores which were sent by Captain Leonard's company, including a brass mortar. Also discusses the prospects for the peace treaty currently in negotiations, as well as the way it is being considered in the newspapers.

[draft]
Westpoint 13th Novr 1782

My Lord
I have acknowledged the receipt of your favor of the 26th ultimo
We received the stores which were sent by Captain Sewards together with the 8 inch brass mortar which is [text loss] small acquisition. [struck: and strikeout]
If we are to believe the papers the prospects of peace, are totally assured, and [illegible] there is still [illegible]. Indeed the death of the Marquis of Rockingham appears to be almost the only circumstance that has prevented a peace. I have not seen the papers [inserted: New York of the 8th or 9th] but it is said [struck: of the] 8 [strikeout] [struck: there is] [inserted: so concise] an account of the final evacuation of [Charleston] [struck: and one of them,] and Rock Gibralter [would] probably fall- but the later is a [illegible] point. It appears [struck: on that] [inserted: that] on the [2[7] of Sept] the combined fleets [inserted: of [60] sail] were at sea & that the [brass] of [14] were in port
[struck: Mrs. Knox] I am my Dear Lord
Your affectionate
[Hble Sevt]
Major [Lill.] will examine the
time and if better than that
at Albany will take [strikeout] the [quantity]
you request-

[docket]
to Lord Sterling 13 Nov 1782

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Alexander, William, 1726-1783

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources