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.

Sumner, Job (1754-1789) to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.04053 Author/Creator: Sumner, Job (1754-1789) Place Written: Savannah, Georgia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 14 December 1788 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; 30.5 x 18.2 cm. Order a Copy

Encloses the proposed Constitution of Georgia (not included). Notes that three members from each county are appointed to meet at Augusta in January: "I shall only say, that from the disposition of the People, and in particular that of their members of the Convention, from this County, I think the Constitution will be totally rejected- should this be the Case, we shall then have to make a better one..." Discusses the Articles and the power of the Governor. Comments on relations with American Indians in Georgia: "When we get a permanent Peace with the Indians, and a good Government, I think this State... will be one of the most flourishing in the Union." In a post script, notes that their mutual friend Wayne (possibly General Anthony Wayne) aims for a Senatorial appointment, noting "he is unpopular here."

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Sumner, Job, 1754-1789
Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

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