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Houston, William C. (ca. 1746-1788) to Robert Morris

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03147 Author/Creator: Houston, William C. (ca. 1746-1788) Place Written: Trenton, New Jersey Type: Autograph letter signed Date: February 7, 1782 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket ; 32.3 x 20.8 cm. + 1 engraving ; col. ; 19.6 x 15.6

Summary of Content: Forwards an affidavit and other documents (not included), mentions his expectation that news of the American victory at Yorktown has reached London, and sends personal news related to a smallpox epidemic. One bust engraving of Robert R Livingston included.

Background Information: William Houston was a New Jersey politician and professor at Princeton who had served in the Continental Congress.
Robert Morris, a Pennsylvania merchant and politician, had served in the Continental ...Congress and, at this letter's writing, was the national superintendent of finance.
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Full Transcript: Trenton 7 Feby 1782

Dear Sir

Your Favour [sic] of the 4 current I received yesterday. The affidavit to ground the attachment is filed, and the Roll and Execution recorded and now employed. ...I have fortunately met with Mr. Stylis who promises to take Charge of this Letter for you. The one directed to Mr. Boudinot will thank you to put in a way of reaching him safely; it contains copy of a Rule of Court for which he has written pressingly.

I have nothing to write you in the way of news. The Returns from Europe, as the news of the Captured at York-Town shall have reached London, will probably me from the Eastward, and reach you before us.

Yours of the 2 inst I received the next Day, for which please to accept my Thanks. Mrs. Houston is well and our two little Folks have got safely and easily through the smallpox, which has razed with unusual severity here for some Time past.

I am, dear Sir
Your very obed. hble Servant
WC Houston

P.S. In the Hurry of Business I had like to have overlooked your memorandum on the Back of the Letter. The Copy of the Rule is enclosed.

WCH
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People: Houston, William Churchill, ca. 1746-1788
Morris, Robert, 1734-1806

Historical Era: American Revolution, 1763-1783

Subjects: EpidemicMedical HistoryHealth and MedicalDiseaseSmallpoxRevolutionary WarBattleBattle of YorktownSurrenderMilitary HistoryGlobal History and US Foreign PolicyGlobal History and US Foreign PolicyLaw

Sub Era: The War for Independence

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