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.

Ogden, Samuel (1746-1810) 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 #: GLC02437.04614 Author/Creator: Ogden, Samuel (1746-1810) Place Written: Morrisville, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 22 May 1790 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket ; 21.5 x 17 cm. Order a Copy

Reports that "little Morris" (presumably his son) suffered no ill effects from a recent fall. States that everyone is glad to hear that President Washington has recovered from his illness. Paraphrases Don Quixote: "As Sancho told the Don, He must not, He shall not Die, at least for Ten Years." Discusses the popular unrest he fears would have occurred if Washington had not survived. Sends best wishes to the Knoxes.

For a discussion of Delaware Works and Morrisville, refer to W. W. H. (William Watts Hart) Davis, History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, from the Discovery of the Delaware to the Present Time. New York: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1905.

[draft - partial]
[1] There has been a Universal Gloom though out this Country, on acct of the President illness. we all rejoice at his recovery and pray Heaven may long preserve Him. As Sancho' told the Don. He must not, He shall not Die, at least for Ten Years - God know where our Troubles would end if [2] if he should leave us. He alone has the confidence of the People in Him they believe, and through Him they remain United...

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Ogden, Samuel, 1746-1810

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources