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.

Reily, John (fl. 1776-1810) to Henry Knox

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 #: GLC02437.01847 Author/Creator: Reily, John (fl. 1776-1810) Place Written: Constitution Island, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20 January 1783 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; 23.6 x 19.3 cm. Order a Copy

Reports to Knox that he is holding a suspicious person at Constitution Island who arrived alone and without credentials. He then asked for information about the forts and weapons there. Includes a reply from Samuel Shaw stating that Knox asked him to write, and states that Knox expresses his thanks for Reily's vigilance. Says the prisoner is innocent and visited the Island solely out of curiosity. Declares that he should be released after being informed of the "great impropriety in a person visiting any military post" without proper introduction.

Shaw, Samuel, 1754-1794
Reily, John, fl. 1776-1810
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources