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.

Wadsworth, Jeremiah (1743-1804) to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03522 Author/Creator: Wadsworth, Jeremiah (1743-1804) Place Written: Hartford, Connecticut Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 15 April 1787 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; 22.8 x 18.7 cm. Order a Copy

Discusses the allocation of money from the Treasury warrants. Believes the troops "at all hazards" need to be paid. Wants the next warrant to be used to pay the officers or "they...will consider themselves as greatly injured & will give weight to the opposers of a Federal Government ... " Expresses anxiety about the possibility of rebellion if the men are not paid, "this state I am persuaded never was so ripe for rebellion as at present the friends to Chaise [Shays] & his party are increasing & growing bolder every day - they have in general carreid their Elections throughout the state." Has no doubt the troops at Springfield, Massachusetts will be fed. Is disillusioned with Congress and wants nothing to do with matters they are involved in. "Free" handwritten on address leaf with no signature.

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Wadsworth, Jeremiah, 1743-1804

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