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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.

Heath, William (1737-1814) to William Phillips

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04789.02 Author/Creator: Heath, William (1737-1814) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter Date: 1 August 1778 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 26.5 x 18.2 cm. Order a Copy

Written by Heath as commander of the Convention Army, which consisted of British prisoners of war from the Saratoga campaign, to British General Phillips as the highest ranking officer with the Convention Army. References Phillips's letter from 29 July 1778. Hopes no accident has befallen Captain Willow. Says he needs to get General George Washington's permission to allow Phillips to take a journey to Canada. Tells Phillips that a recruiting party that visited British prisoners was from the navy and that he has asked them to desist in such activities. Has given Captain Williams permission to sail, but says he will probably wait for Lieutenant McLean and the prisoners of the 71st. Hopes they can settle accounts for the Convention Army soon. Phillips was the ranking officer in the Convention Army after General John Burgoyne returned to Britain on 5 April 1778.

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