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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.

Arnold, Benedict (1741-1801) to Margaret Arnold

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03301 Author/Creator: Arnold, Benedict (1741-1801) Place Written: St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 25 July 1768 Pagination: 2 p. : address ; 31 x 19 cm. Order a Copy

Writes to his wife, Peggy, in New Haven, Connecticut. Informs that he has sent her brandy, oranges, coconuts, handkerchiefs, and more from the West Indies and hopes the shipment has arrived safely. Briefly discusses his own trade. Desires to return to his family, " ... a separation from you is attended with the most Cruel Anxiety, you who are with your Friends Cannot Imagine my Impatience to leave this Savage Island & be with you & my Friends who are most Dear to me." Mentions some pending law suits. Gives love to the family. With an initialed postscript.

St. Croix 25th July 1768 -
Dear Peggy
I wrote you Four Day since from St Eustatia by Capt. Waterman & Cpt. Miller, & sent you by the latter Four Anchors Brandy, 1 Case Liquors, Box Oranges some Coconuts 1 doz Handkfs, 2 doz Cotton Hose [inserted: 2/3 Limes], which I hope will come safe to hand. - Since which I arived safe here, have discharged my Freight from St Kitts, & beginning to Load I have about one hundred [illegible] Engaged on Freight believe I shall have a full Freight with my own, which will help make up a bad Voyage, this must not be mentioned. I expect to get from this in three Weeks shall make all possable Dispatch as, a seperation you is attended with the most Cruel Anxiety, you who are with your Friends Cannot Imagine my Impatience to leave this Savage Island & be with you & My Friends who are most Dear to me - hope you enjoy the blessing of Health, & free from every trouble - I have issued One Hundred pounds of Burr & Andres Mony & some other small Debts the remainder shall be obliged to leave behind. I made Fifty pound Freight from St. Kitts & as much more on some articles I Brt. At Windward; which with my Freight Home will make a tollerable Voyage - I have wrote Mr. Douglass to make me £600 Insured on the Cargo, at Middletown, or New York which you'll remind him of.
[2] I have not mentioned any thing of those Law Suits, which you'll speak to him & Mr Humphreys abt. pray dont neglect any thing that Can be done in those affairs -
I shall write you every Oporty-- which is the greatest pleasure I have in this most Disagreable Corner of the Earth - I hope you & my Sister have lived in Unity since we parted I hope to have the satisfaction to hear, you are both Easy & happy which will give me the greatest pleasure pray make my respects to Our Papa, Mama & Sisters & take good Care of our Little, Dear Boy. God bless you both, & all is the Daily prayer of
Dear Peggy
Your affectionate
Husband
Benedt: Arnold
PS If you should have it
In your power, before I return
pay Mr. __ Camp of Durham
for his Cattle [illegible] in £18
Youll see by the Day Book
Your uncle Stockton is Engaged
for the Money -
BA

[address leaf]
To Mrs~ Benedict Arnold
In
Favr. Cpt. Chew New Haven.

Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801
Arnold, Margaret Mansfield, 1745-1775

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