Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 70,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World to soldiers’ letters from World War II and Vietnam. Explore primary sources, visit exhibitions in person or online, or bring your class on a field trip.

Back to Collection Search

Officers of Woodcreek to Samuel Vetch re: state of military expedition

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 #: GLC03107.00805 Author/Creator: Officers of Woodcreek Place Written: Woodcreek, [?] Type: Letter signed Date: 1709/09/02 Pagination: 3p. + docket 30.9 x 19.3 cm

Summary of Content: Letter written to Samuel Vetch by officers preparing for the next stage of a military expedition toward Canada. The officers relate their reservations about the endeavor, believing that if the expedition fails, their country will be reduced to a "lamentable condition." They wonder if they should perhaps abort their mission, as they may be wasting their time and becoming the "sport of an insulting enemy." The letter is signed by five primary officers: Peter Schuyler, William Whiting, J. Godknap, John Schuyler, and John Livingston. It also bears the signature of a number of other officers agreeing with the statements made in the letter.

People:

Historical Era: Colonization and Settlement, 1585-1763

Subjects: Military HistoryCanadaSoldier's LetterGlobal History and US Foreign PolicyFranceGlobal History and US Foreign Policy

Sub Era:

Order a Copy Citation Guidelines for Online Resources

Copyright Notice: The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.