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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.

Stagg, John, Jr. (1758-1803) to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.04023 Author/Creator: Stagg, John, Jr. (1758-1803) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 2 November 1788 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 31.7 x 19 cm. Order a Copy

Stagg fills in for William Knox at the War Office (William was conducting War Office business in Henry's absence and is indisposed due to illness). Notes that William is too sick to answer correspondence. Reports that [John] Pratt, who was ordered to march with troops to Fort Pitt, will soon arrive in New York. Comments on transporting clothing to Fort Pitt. Notes that Pratt's men and the clothing will depart from New Brunswick. Relates that Knox's last quarter's salary was issued in paper money and has been given to his wife, Lucy. Says "There is no Congress yet; - very few members present - The president's time of service is expired." Assures Knox that he will ask [Philip] Audebert, War Office clerk, to attend to William, noting "some person, besides Cesar, should be there, whenever I am obliged, in the execution of the duties of the office, to be absent."

Caesar Lloyd Cummings (d. 1792), one of six civilian employees in the War Department, was a free black man. He worked as the department messenger. (At least one source indicates that Cummings had served there since the Board of War's creation in 1777.)

Stagg, John, Jr., 1758-1803
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Audebert, Philip, fl. 1788-1796
Knox, William, 1756-1795
Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824
Pratt, John, 1753-1824

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