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 Thomas Dwight

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 #: GLC02437.03350 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 25 November 1786 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 32 x 19.4 cm. Order a Copy

Writes that he would have responded immediately to Dwight's last letter but was concerned that writing by the post might be injurious to Dwight. Discusses whether letters sent to him would arrive safely. Mentions the importance of news about the affairs in western Massachusetts (referring to Shays' Rebellion), and discusses whether the insurgents will take the oaths presented by the government.

The addressee is likely Thomas Dwight (1758-1819), from the Springfield, Massachusetts area, who served as both a state and national congressman during the course of his career.

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Dwight, Thomas, 1758-1819

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources