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.

Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to Samuel Breck

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.05189 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter Date: 9 October 1791 Pagination: 4 p. ; 31.6 x 19.9 cm. Order a Copy

References receiving Breck's letter from his son. Thanks him for his sympathy upon the death of his son Marcus. Says "Language is utterly inadequate to convey any idea of the agony of our souls upon the occasion." References Breck's previous letter where he ranted about the high taxes the assessors implemented in Boston. Would be happy to have Breck as a neighbor in Philadelphia if he should move. Reports that "House rent is here exceedingly high." Goes on to explain the rental real estate market in Philadelphia. Praises the house of Mr. Simmons, a coachmaker, at the corner of Chestnut and 5th Street. Says Simmons would let it for 3 years at $1,000 per year. Asserts that it would be better to move in the fall than in the spring or summer. Talks of Breck becoming a director of the bank.

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