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 Charles Thomson

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03114 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 17 March 1785 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 32 x 19.8 cm. Order a Copy

Knox writes to Thomson, Secretary of Congress. Accepts the appointment of Secretary at War: "I have the most grateful sentiments to Congress for this distinguishing mark of their confidence, and I shall according to the best of my abilities attempt to execute the duties of the office. I shall have a perfect reliance upon a candid interpretation of my actions, and I shall hope that application to business, and propriety of intention, may in a degree excuse a deficiency of talents." Plans to be at New York by 12 April 1785.

Thomson, Charles, 1729-1824
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

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