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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.

Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to Levi Lincoln

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.06712 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter Date: 22 April 1796 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 32 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

Unsigned, but handwriting suggests the author is Henry Knox. The docket, also in Knox's hand, says that a copy of this draft was never sent to Lincoln, but a later version, dated 9 May, was sent, and no copy was retained of that. Writes that he received Lincoln's last letter, and has every day planned to write back, but hasn't until now, and is ashamed of it. Regarding Lincoln's letter, Knox declares that canals are a favorite hobby of his, and he discusses the merits of the canal proposal in Lincoln's letter. Has ordered the plans from his earlier canal project to be sent to Boston, so Lincoln or another of the canal planners might see them. Mentions some of the pitfalls and difficulties of planning a canal. Adds that he appreciates Lincoln's invitation for him to be an associate in the canal project. Responds that at present his attentions are consumed with land purchases in Maine, but when he has more leisure time, he would be happy to help. See GLC02437.06690 for a related document.

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Lincoln, Levi, 1749-1820

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