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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.

Washington, George (1732-1799) to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.09315 Author/Creator: Washington, George (1732-1799) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Manuscript letter Date: 31 May 1787 Pagination: 1 p. ; 31 x 20.5 cm. Order a Copy

Later copy of a letter written to Henry Knox, briefly discussing the begining of the Constitutional Convention, and his election as chair of the Convention. Copy made on 1 February 1854 according to note at top of first page.

Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

[Draft]
No-4- Copied from the original & compared Feby 1st 1854
Washington
Philadelphia 31st May 1787
My dear Sir,
It gave me great pleasure to find by your letter of the 29th. that you were free'd from all apprehension on account of Miss Lucy's eye and that we might flatter ourselves with the expectation of seeing Mrs. Knox and you at this place - It was not until, Friday last that Seven States Assembled in Convention, by these, I was much against my wish, unanimously placed in the Chair - Ten States are now represented, and Maryland probably will be so in the course of a few days. Should New Hampshire come forward, Rhode Island will then stand very singularly alone.
As it is not even certain that this letter will get to New York before you shall have left it, I will only add Compliments to Mrs. Knox and Assurances of sincerest friendship of
Your Affectionate
(signed) G. Washington
Maj. Gen Knox
New York

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Washington, George, 1732-1799

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