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.

Read, John (fl. 1789) to Henry Knox

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.04069 Author/Creator: Read, John (fl. 1789) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Manuscript letter signed Date: 3 January 1789 Pagination: 6 p. : address : docket ; 30.1 x 18.6 cm. Order a Copy

Has received his letter of the previous month and sees that Knox is interested in learning about the "whole process of raising and fitting Hemp for use." Would be happy to explain his "own method in the cultivation of this usefull plant." Provides a lengthy, detailed method for growing hemp. Includes a description of the proper soil to use, how frequently to water it, and how to harvest and process it.

There is no evidence that this John Read is the same as John Read (1769-1854), the lawyer and banker from Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Read, John, fl. 1789

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources