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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.

Washington, George (1732-1799) to Bryan Fairfax re: allowing Fairfax to visit to discuss British peace proposal

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03674 Author/Creator: Washington, George (1732-1799) Place Written: Camp near Potts Grove Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 25 September 1777 Pagination: 2 p. + addr 22 x 18.3 cm Order a Copy

With a note in a different hand on the address leaf stating "containing a pas[s]port to travel to the camp." Washington also assures Fairfax of his friendship, despite "the difference in our political Sentiments...."

Notes: Unpublished.
Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

Camp near Pottsgrove
Septr 25 1777.
Dear Sir,
Despairing of seeing the bearer again, I wrote an answer to your favour from the Conestoga Waggon (without date) yesterday; and put it into the hands of a Man who faithfully promised to deliver it - since w[hi]ch your own Messenger has called upon me, & that you may have two chances of getting my passport to the Camp, you will receive one under this cover.
In my Letter of yesterday I assurd [sic] you, and assurd [sic] you with truth, that the difference in our political Sentiments had made no change in my friendship for you. I esteem, and revere, every man who acts from principle as I am persuaded you do; and shall ever contribute my aid to facilitate any Inclination you [2] may wish to endulge, as I am satisfied that that honr. which I have ever found you scrupulously observant of, will never be departed from. I shall add no more, because in the first place, I have very little leizure [sic], & on the next, because I conceive it unnecessary to multiply words to prove that with sincere regard

I am D[ea]r Sir
Y[ou]r Most Obed[ien]t & Aff[ectionat]e
Go: Washington

[Address leaf:]
To Bryan Fairfax Esqr.
At Colo. Thompsons at the Conestoga Waggon

[Docket:] (in another hand)
Sepr. 1777
Contains a Passport to Travel to the Camp

Washington, George, 1732-1799
Fairfax, Bryan Fairfax, Baron, 1736-1802

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