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.

Carrington, Edward (1749-1810) to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.04267 Author/Creator: Carrington, Edward (1749-1810) Place Written: Powhatan, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1 July 1789 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket ; 23.5 x 19.8 cm. Order a Copy

Writes from "Powhatan via Richmond," most likely in Virginia. Writes that he has, in fact, decided not to travel to New York City in pursuit of a government appointment. Adds, "I did expect that many would collect there in quest of appointments, and that it would draw on them remarks which would tend rather to injure than promote their wishes - I now learn that this is in fact the case - I would not be ranked amongst them for the world." Believes that the President will not make appointments based on "absence or presence" but instead based on "character." Sends his respects to Mrs. Knox. "Free" handwritten on address leaf with no signature.

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810
Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

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