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.

Lamb, John (1735-1800) [Appraisal of arms imported for William 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.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03228 Author/Creator: Lamb, John (1735-1800) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Manuscript letter signed Date: 25 December 1785 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 23.6 x 19.2 cm. Order a Copy

Document has two parts. Top part features an evaluation by a John Goeld[?], which reads, "Having viewed twenty four fire arms imported in a case address'd to William Knox Esqr. I hereby certify that upon an average I suppose them to be valued at Forty shillings sterling each and also a cross bow which I suppose to be worth about four shillings sterling." The bottom part features calculations and figures, and a certification that 44 shillings total were received for duty. This portion is signed by John Lamb in his capacity as Collector [of Customs for New York].

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Lamb, John, 1735-1800
Goeld, John, fl. 1785
Knox, William, 1756-1795

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources