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.

Bird, Henry Merttins (1755-1818) to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.05117 Author/Creator: Bird, Henry Merttins (1755-1818) Place Written: London, England Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 12 August 1791 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; 22.4 x 18.3 cm. Order a Copy

References receiving "polite attentions" from Knox the last time he was in New York. Offers his services "in the disposal in London of your American funds, of which I understand you are a considerable holder." When he arrived in London he learned that "some steps I had taken previous to leaving America had procur'd to Bird Savage & Bird of London, the house of which I am a partner, the consignment of between 2-300,000 dollars of your 6 prCent." Says that the public in London is unfamiliar with these funds and their sale has been slow. Notes he has been having advertisements produced and he encloses a copy (not included). Says the 6 percent funds rapidly rose from 92 1/2 to 105 percent "at which we are on the point of selling large sums." Thinks it will keep going up. Offers to put some of Knox's funds into this market. Goes into how to send money.

Bird was a merchant in the London firm Bird Savage & Bird in London.

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