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.

Morris, Gouverneur (1752-1816) to John Jay

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03257 Author/Creator: Morris, Gouverneur (1752-1816) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 17 June 1781 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 24 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

Writes to Jay, then Minister to Spain, about Jays appointment as one of five commissioners to negotiate peace during the American Revolution (which eventually resulted in the Treaty of Paris). Gives advice on how to deal with Spain, asking him to reiterate their commitment to winning the war and to "Hint a private Treaty to comprehend the Cession of the Floridas and even of Jamaica as an Ultimatum of Peace." Praises the appointment of Thomas McKean as President of Congress. The letter was continued on 10 July and 17 July 1781. Signed twice.

Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

Morris, Gouverneur, 1752-1816
Jay, John, 1745-1829

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