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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.

Lincoln, Benjamin (1733-1810) to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.02315 Author/Creator: Lincoln, Benjamin (1733-1810) Place Written: Princeton, New Jersey Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 22 July 1783 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket ; 30.3 x 18.5 cm. Order a Copy

Written by Secretary of War Lincoln to Major General Knox. Marked "private." References Knox's private letter that was recently sent by the post. Congratulates him on the birth of his son. Believes Congress will not leave Princeton soon. Before he left for Virginia, Lincoln says he put Knox's business before Congress. Says no compensation has yet been voted on. Hopes to know more in a few days. Asks to be updated on the business of the Society of the Cincinnati. Reports he will attend meetings at other state gatherings if necessary. Place written is spelled "Prince Town."

Prince Town July 22 1783
Dear Sir
I had the honor of receiving your private letter by the post
I congratulate you on the happy event, the birth of an other son, may he live long, and may the best of Heavens blessings be the happy portion of the mother & her babe
I think Congress will not soon remove from this place -
Before I left Philadelphia for Virginia I laid your matters before Congress and spoke to a number of members on the subject - but I hear, since my return, that no compensation was voted of this I shall know more in a few days or rather I hope to obtain the reasons why it was rejected should I obtain any thing [2] worthy your notice and which wants an explanation I will communicate it
I shall be much obliged by your advice on the business of the Cincinati I have been so little with the Army that I hardly know their wishes and intentions whether it will be necessary to have a meeting or not before we meet in the [Mass] [illegible] a meeting out of that State whether it will be necessary for me to attend it if it should be necessary I will certainly do it as I wish sincerely to promote the interest of the institution pray write your sentiments [illegible] on the subject -
The business of the magazines will be fully taken up in my public letter
My best regards to Mrs. Knox
& believe me your friend
B Lincoln
Gen Knox

[address leaf]
Private
Hon General Knox
B Lincoln West Point
[docket]
From Genl Lincoln
22 July 1783

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