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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.

Griffin, Cyrus (1748-1810) to Burgess Ball

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04377.04 Author/Creator: Griffin, Cyrus (1748-1810) Place Written: London, England Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 10 August 1775 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; 23.x 18.7 cm. Order a Copy

Informs Ball that he will be unable to travel home soon due to his management of the Chichester affairs. Discusses his management of Ball's business/ financial affairs in England. Discusses the sale of estates (possibly owned by Ball) in England. Plans to complete Ball's affairs during the upcoming winter. Expresses regret that Ball had to draw Bill's, predicting the worth of bills will increase by the following April. States "As to Politics, I refer you to the reverend Mr. [Wm.?] John McKay who will be at your house in a little time in his way to Richmond from Norfolk; he will give you the best Intelligence, and without the danger of having my Letter opened by the post office. You may prepare for a few Thousand regulars in Virginia." Instructs to give others at Belle Isle, Virginia, his regards.

Ball was the husband of George Washington's niece. In the American Revolution, Ball served as a volunteer aide to Washington, Captain of the 5th Virginia Regiment of Foot, and as a colonel. Griffin, educated in Britain as a lawyer, served as a member of the Virginia State house of delegates in 1777, 1778, 1786, and 1787. He was a Continental Congressman 1778-1780 and 1787-1788, serving as Congressional President in 1788.

Griffin, Cyrus, 1748-1810
Ball, Burgess, 1749-1800
McKay, John, fl. 1775

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