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.

Cobb, David (1748-1830) 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 #: GLC02437.05057 Author/Creator: Cobb, David (1748-1830) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 10 July 1791 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket ; 22.5 x 18.6 cm. Order a Copy

Cobb, a member of the Massachusetts legislature, writes that Knox may have seen "that small son of mine, whom you have kindly honor'd with a Commission." Says he has "an affection" for the "Lad" and that "the Females of my Family will never forgive you or me, if he is unfortunate." Mentions he has frequently discussed the prospects of a canal from the Connecticut River to Boston. Explains that the general consensus seems to be that the canal should be cut from Miller's River instead of the Chickibee. Says that Miller's River is above some of the waterfalls "that at present prevent the communication between New Hampshire & Vermont with Hartford." Adds that it will be expensive to bypass the falls if they start at the Chickibee. Asks him to have Captain John Hills survey the route from Miller's River if these arguments convince him. Estimates it to be 50 miles from Boston.

David Cobb was a U.S. Congressman for the Third District of Massachusetts. Born in Attleboro, Massachusetts, Cobb graduated from Harvard College in 1766. He studied medicine in Boston and afterward practiced in Taunton, Massachusetts. He was a member of the Provincial Congress in 1775; lieutenant colonel of Jackson’s regiment in 1777 and 1778, serving in Rhode Island and New Jersey; was aide-de-camp on the staff of General Washington; appointed major general of militia in 1786 and rendered conspicuous service during Shays Rebellion; Judge of the Bristol County Court of Common Pleas 1784-1796; member of the State house of representatives 1789-1793 and served as Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives; Elected to the Third United States Congress, replacing Elbridge Gerry who had been elected Vice President; Moved to Gouldsboro in the district of Maine in 1796 and engaged in agricultural pursuits; elected to the Massachusetts Senate from the eastern district of Maine in 1802 and served as president; elected to the Massachusetts Governor's Council in 1808; Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts in 1809; member of the board of military defense in 1812; chief justice of the Hancock County (Maine) court of common pleas; returned in 1817 to Taunton, where he died on April 17, 1830.

Cobb, David, 1748-1830
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Hills, John, fl. 1771-1796

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources