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.

Lear, Tobias (1762-1816) 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 #: GLC02437.08172 Author/Creator: Lear, Tobias (1762-1816) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: circa 1789-1796 Pagination: 1 p. : address ; 19.1 x 19.9 cm. Order a Copy

Offers his sympathies to Knox for the loss in his family, probably due to the death of another Knox child. Date range inferred from death dates of a few of Knox's children, and other letters in collection referencing their deaths.

Although perhaps, my dear General, I may be among the last to sympathize with you; Yet I am not among the least afflicted for your loss. And if it were possible for anything in my power to alleviate, in the smallest degree, the grief of yourself or family, I am sure my exertions would never be employed with more readiness. But in these cases consolation is sought from higher sources, from whence that it may flow to heal your wound is the sincere prayer of Your affectionate & sympathizing friend.
Tobias Lear
Genl Knox Friday Morning

[address leaf]
General Knox

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Lear, Tobias, 1762-1816

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources