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 Joseph Williams

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03312 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: Springfield, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 14 October 1786 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 29.6 x 18 cm. Order a Copy

Had wanted to see Williams in order to talk about "the business" (likely referring to Shays' Rebellion). Writes he is relying on Williams to protect the military stores "in every event, for which you shall be amply compensated." Asks him to continue with the methods he mentioned when they spoke.

According to the New England Historic Genealogical Society, Knox put Major Joseph Williams in charge of the United States Arsenal at Springfield during Shays' Rebellion.
Knox is referring to events surrounding Shays' Rebellion, which occurred in Springfield, Massachusetts from 1786 to 1787.

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Williams, Joseph, 1753-1819

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