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.

Jackson, Henry (1747-1809) to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.05131 Author/Creator: Jackson, Henry (1747-1809) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 21 August 1791 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 22.4 x 18.7 cm. Order a Copy

Last Thursday he gave the enclosed proposals (not included) to the Committee for the Sale of Eastern Lands. Received a verbal answer on Friday "that it was an object of such magnitude they had concluded to consult and advise with their absent brethren as only three of the Committee were present." The committee told him they would not sell any land without giving Jackson previous notice. He previously asked for more time in the negotiations "to cover the application for you, as I wish'd they should think it originated with me." States he has discovered someone else applied for half a million acres, but he does not know who. Encloses receipt for the $5,000 (not included). Note in pencil below the docket says "Recd of Mrs. Thatcher."

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