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 #: GLC02437.06673 Author/Creator: Smith, William Stephens (1755-1816) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Manuscript letter signed Date: 23 March 1796 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket ; 25.4 x 20.5 cm. Order a Copy

Write to regretfully inform Knox that due to "unexpected embarrassments" they will not be able to continue in business with Knox. Apologize profusely, but seem to ask Knox to pay back what he owes them.

The "A. Hammond" who signed the letter may be Abijah Hammond, a prominent landowner in New York City who frequently worked with William Stephens Smith.

Smith, William Stephens, 1755-1816
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Hammond, Abijah, 1757-1832

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