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.

Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to John Bryant

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03432.005 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Manuscript letter signed Date: 8 February 1786 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket : free fank ; 32.5 x 20.5 cm. Order a Copy

Discusses the need to capture "the villains who broke open the public store at Springfield" Writes, "In all cases of the kind the most vigorous search ought to be made to find out the culprits and to bring them to condign punishment..." Notes he has transmitted a certificate from the paymaster stating that Captain Bryant never received "the commutation and that you were never entitled to it..." Also indicates he has ordered Ralph Pomeroy to transport two hundred tons of shot and shells from Salisbury furnace to the armory at Springfield, Massachusetts and asks Bryant to provide itemized receipts for the transfer. Instructs Bryant to have the shot and shells "regularly piled by themselves" in the public buildings and kept under lock and key. Discusses administrative matters related to Bryant's back pay. Written from the War Office. Free frank signed by Knox and stamped "Free" on address leaf.

Captain John Bryant was the Deputy Commissary of Military Stores at the Armory in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Bryant, John, 1742-1816

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