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 (fl. 1794) to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.06279 Author/Creator: Smith, William (fl. 1794) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 21 December 1794 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket ; 25 x 20.4 cm. Order a Copy

Discusses the "total destruction" of his father's property that took place during the war (possibly the Revolutionary War). Notes the entire family looks to him for support. Comments he is "determined to bear the pressure & the flight like a man." Mentions his brother, Colonel John Smith, will be leaving for Europe on Wednesday. Asks Knox to send his brother's commission, which he was entitled to before his resignation from the service, to them. Notes the commission will be used as a passport and voucher of his brother's citizenship. "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

Smith, William, fl. 1794
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

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