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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.

Jackson, Henry (1747-1809) to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03862 Author/Creator: Jackson, Henry (1747-1809) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 27 April 1788 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket ; 30.3 x 18.6 cm. Order a Copy

Refers to a recent "affray" in New York [the so-called Doctors Riot], expressing relief that Knox was not injured. Discusses a financial matter related to "Pierce's final settlement," arguing that he can make use of ten thousand dollars "without the least risque" (refer to GLC02437.03842 and GLC02437.03866). Notes that their mutual friend, Colonel James Swan, arrived in France. Marked "private" on the address leaf.

The "affray" Jackson refers to may be the infamous Doctors' Riot of April 1788, a reaction of citizens who were angry about doctors' appropriation of dead bodies from graveyards for dissection.

[draft]
Boston Apr. 27. 1788
My dear Harry
Your favor by the post I recd - the papers are the best information I can give you with respect to politicks and electioneering in this quarter - to them I refer you -
The affray in your City must have been serious, and attend with very disagreeable consequences, I was very much distracted for a day or two, as the first report said you was wounded - was after wards made happy to find it other ways -
I want to make use of about ten thousand dollars of your Pierces final settlements -this I can do with great advantage to myself without the least risque and the notes remain perfectly safe and secure [struck: as] If they were in [2] my hands - If you will permit me it will be off great service to me & cannot be of any to you - I shall [presume] on 5,000 of them before I hear from you -
I have some business to attend too this day therefore must be short. Our friend Swan arrived in France in 28 days, we have Letters from him -
My love to you all -
You fnd -
H Jackson

Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

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