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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.

Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to George Washington

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.05147 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 8 September 1791 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 31.8 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

Initialed by Knox. Thanks Washington for his sympathy regarding the death of his son. States "The arrow with [which we were] stricken is indeed barbed with the keenest anguish." Says that neither reason nor philosophy has had their proper effect.

Philadelphia Sept 8 1791
My dear Sir
[Struck: I feel most sensible, the kindness of your [consolating] sympathy]
The [arrow] with what [wee] stricken is indeed barbed with the keenest anguish. In this moment neither reason Philosophy or religion have their proper [struck: fare] [inserted: effect] - perhaps the [Serial] hand of time may reconcile us to a strong [handed] event [struck: where over what we could have] no [struck: control] when we alas could not control.
[Wounded] and [torn] to the [quick] as we are we [struck: felt] feel most [sensibly] the kindness of [2] Your sympathy -
With [entire] respect & affection
I am my Dear Sir
Your humble Svt
HK

Genl Washington

[docket]
Genl Washington
8 Septr 1791 -

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Washington, George, 1732-1799

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