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.

Peirce, Joseph (1745-1828) to Henry Knox

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.05310 Author/Creator: Peirce, Joseph (1745-1828) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 7 February 1792-8 February 1792 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; 22.6 x 18.6 cm. Order a Copy

Contains two letters. The first, written on 7 February 1792, declares that he was informed by General [Benjamin] Lincoln that Lincoln has no openings under him and so will be unable to hire Peirce's son at present. However, he will keep him in mind for any future openings. Peirce's son, who is the bearer of the letter, intends to set up trade connections between Philadelphia and Boston. He also brings Knox a document from Henry Jackson related to their attempts to purchase land. Peirce discusses Jackson's attempts to get the legislature to approve the canal building project. The second discusses farming on the Waldo patent lands, as well as news about the Indian wars in the Northwest territories. Also discusses his son's new business prospects.

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Peirce, Joseph, 1745-1828
Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810
Jackson, Henry, 1747-1809

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources