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.

North, William (1755-1836) to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03368 Author/Creator: North, William (1755-1836) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 8 December 1786 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 32 x 20.1 cm. Order a Copy

Received a letter from [John Francis] Hamtramck and has enclosed the majority of the information in it (not present). Hamtramck wrote to North in confidence, but North believes he cannot be faulted for showing the information to Knox, and that his ideas will show Hamtramck to be a good officer. Also hopes Knox will excuse Hamtramck's writing, as "[E]nglish is not his mother tongue." Would have liked to present the recommendation to Knox personally but his sore throat has returned and he would like to stay at home as much as possible.

Dear General
I received a letter from Hamtramck a day or two since, the greatest part of it is enclosed, what remains is on private matters.
[There needs] no appology for endeavouring to interest you in favor of a good officer which this letter I think will shew him to be; it was written to me in confidence, & I believe upon my honor that he never expected that anyone else would see it -
I offer this, as an excuse for the [illegible]. but the english is not his mother tongue.
I should have had the honor of presenting the enclosed personally-but my sore throat has returned & I wish to keep in the house as much as possible.
With the greatest respect
I am Dear General
Your Obed Sevt
Wm North

Dec 9th
PS - What is mentioned about Revers, is a mistake.

[address leaf]
The Honorable
Genl. Knox

[docket]
From Major North
8 Decr 1786

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
North, William, 1755-1836
Hamtramck, John Francis, 1756-1803

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