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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.

Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to Benjamin Lincoln

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03419 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Manuscript letter Date: 21 January 1787 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 32.1 x 20.3 cm. Order a Copy

Writes that he is fully impressed with how busy Lincoln is (Lincoln was preparing to lead a regiment to face off against the Shays insurgents), but hopes that he would not mind giving him news of the battles in Massachusetts when possible. Writes, "I do not request to know any thing which if divulged by miscarriage of letters would be in the least injurious - Any communications which shall be made shall be retained with me unless you should please to order otherwise. I trust to your friendship to excuse my request, wishing you every success." Body of letter and signature penned for Knox by Robert Pemberton, his post-war aide.

[draft]
New York 21 January 1787

Although I am fully impressed My dear Sir with the Idea of your important engagements, yet I take the liberty prompted by the solicitude to know your observations, in succession as they arise to request that you would suffer some of the gentlemen who may attend you to inform me from time to time of such things as have happened. I do not request to know any thing which if divulged by miscarriage of letters would be in the least injurious -
Any communications which shall be made shall be retained with me unless you should please to order otherwise. I trust to your friendship to excuse my request, wishing you every success.
I am my dear Sir
Your truly affectionate
HK
General Lincoln

[docket]
January 21 1787
Copy of letter to Major
General Lincoln

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810

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