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 #: GLC02437.05382 Author/Creator: Smith, William Stephens (1755-1816) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 27 March 1792 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 22.3 x 18.6 cm. Order a Copy

Writes that he has yet to set sail due to poor weather. Comments that he has never been an ambitious man, but that the President [Washington] and his Minister of State (referring to Thomas Jefferson) have convinced him to take on a position with the government. Does not specify the position, but explains why he believes the President thought he had the honesty and strength of character to take on the job. Asks Knox to protect his brother and possibly provide him with a job.

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Smith, William Stephens, 1755-1816
Washington, George, 1732-1799
Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

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