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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.

Cornwallis, William, Sir (1744-1819) to Colonel Ross

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04352.03 Author/Creator: Cornwallis, William, Sir (1744-1819) Place Written: India Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 10 September 1792 Pagination: 4 p. : address : docket ; 24 x 19 cm. Order a Copy

Written by Commodore Cornwallis to Colonel Ross in Calcutta, India. Written quickly and handwriting is sloppy. Cornwallis was a naval commander in India who gave support to his brother Lord Charles Cornwallis, the Governor General of India (who was also the loser at the Battle of Yorktown). Was pleased to received a letter from Ross informing him of his brother's good health. Describes a place (its name is in illegible handwriting) as not meeting his expectations. Says he only arrived here on Saturday evening. Says a certain ship (the name is illegible) left before he could visit it. Speculates on why they might have left. Says he heard a Lt. Plane(?) landed safely and "has mounted his red coat." Says his stay will only last as long to resupply his provisions.

Cornwallis, William, fl. 1792

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