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.

Smith, William Stephens (1755-1816) to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.05204 Author/Creator: Smith, William Stephens (1755-1816) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 21 October 1791 Pagination: 1 p. ; 31.8 x 19.3 cm. Order a Copy

Found Knox's letter of 3 October waiting for him upon his return from Boston. Gave William Duer a message for Knox. Since that message was written things have changed with the arrival of a minister from Great Britain [George Hammond]. Tells Knox, "I have by this post offered myself as a Candidate for the appointment at the Court of London, & upon what I conceive to be strong grounds." If he gets appointed, he believes the post "will have a very extensive influence & operation." Asks for Knox's "good offices on the subject."

Smith, William Stephens, 1755-1816
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

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