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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.

Cranch, Joseph (1769-1791) to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03291 Author/Creator: Cranch, Joseph (1769-1791) Place Written: Springfield, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 14 August 1786 Pagination: 2 p. : address ; 31.2 x 19.5 cm. Order a Copy

Written from Springfield, possibly in Massachusetts. Writes that the present letter is copied from a letter Cranch sent to Knox in New York, before he was aware Knox had traveled to Boston. In it, he discusses a problem of receiving pay. Had received a letter containing Knox's orders for a Mr. Imlay to pay a sum owed to Cranch. Mr. Imlay denied every having accepted any orders, but said he would pay the sum if he had cash at the deadline of the orders. Explains how it is a hardship to wait away from home for his payment for cleaning the arms, and how he is losing money. Asks for Knox's help in making sure he receives payment. Also reiterates proposals for the cleaning of pistols and carbines. "Free" handwritten on address leaf with no signature.

Joseph Cranch was apparently a munitions manufacturer in the Boston, Massachusetts area.

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Cranch, Joseph, 1769-1791

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