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.

Maunsell, John (ca. 1724-1795) to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.04710 Author/Creator: Maunsell, John (ca. 1724-1795) Place Written: London, England Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1 September 1790 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket ; 22.7 x 18.6 cm. Order a Copy

Informs Knox he wrote his last letter to Knox on 4 August 1790. Says he has been holed up at home due to a sprained leg. Describes the military buildup of both the British and the Spanish navies. Is not sure what will happen when these ships meet, but speculates they will, "like ladies, courtesy to each other, turn tail to tail, and go home again." Relates that some people think this standoff is meant "to have some influence on the French Revolution, or the disturbed politicks of Europe." Comments on and laments the decision to move the government to Philadelphia for ten years. Asks Knox if he knows what General [Moses?] Hazen has done about the money he owed to "our treasury."

Maunsell, John, 1724-1795
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Hazen, Moses, 1733-1803

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