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.

Laurens, Henry (1724-1792) to Robert Morris

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03907 Author/Creator: Laurens, Henry (1724-1792) Place Written: Yorktown, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 6 April 1778 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket : free frank ; 31.3 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

Written as President of Congress. Transmits information about John Swanwick, an employee of Morris, concerning Swanswick's possible treasonous correspondence in Philadelphia. Instructs Morris to confidentially inquire into the matter.

York Town 6th April 1778
Sir.
In obedience to an order of Congress passed this Morning I transmit a Paper within the present Inclosure containing an information against Mr. Swanswick a Young Gentleman in your service, to which for particulars I beg leave to refer you.
Congress request & confide in you, to make immediately the most diligent & effectual enquiry into the conduct of Mr. Swanswick respecting his correspondence with Philadelphia & other charges intimated in the Paper referred to. - The Name of the Person who gave the Information is known but at present reserved by her particular desire.
I have the honour to be
Sir Your obedient &
Most humble Servant
Henry Laurens,
President
of Congress.
The Honorable
Robert Morris Esquire
Manheim--

[address leaf]
On Public service
Henry Laurens.
The Honorable
Robert Morris Esquire
Manheim-

[docket]
York Town 6 April 17778
Henry Laurens Esqr
Presd of Congress
Respecting J. Brunswick
539.

Laurens, Henry, 1724-1792
Morris, Robert, 1734-1806
Swanwick, John, 1740-1798

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