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.

Bowes, Rebecca (fl. 1791) to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.05212 Author/Creator: Bowes, Rebecca (fl. 1791) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Manuscript letter signed Date: 27 October 1791 Pagination: 1 p. ; 19.9 x 16 cm. Order a Copy

Letter reads in full, "Presuming on your generous friendship which is influenced by the dictates of humanity & friendship, I have address'd these Lines to you, not doubting your Candour will excuse the freedom I have taken - Being disappointed in receiving some assistance from a near Connection, to whom, I thought I could apply with some degree of confidence, has compell'd me, tho' with great reluctance to make this application to your Goodness for some kind for myself & family against the approaching winter, which will greatly relieve me from much anxiety, & add to your many favours." Postscript asks him to respond at the first opportunity.

Bowes, Rebecca, fl. 1791-1792
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

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