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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.

Beckwith, George, Sir (1753-1823) to Henry Clinton

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05223 Author/Creator: Beckwith, George, Sir (1753-1823) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 24 July 1781 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 32.7 x 20.3 cm. Order a Copy

Spy's report, titled, "Copy of a letter from a Gentleman in Phila. to Capt. Beckwith." The report points out that he might not be able to gain information about General George Washington's Army. Notes that Washington's correspondence with Congress now goes by express rather than post and cannot be intercepted. Also provides naval intelligence of merchant vessels leaving Philadelphia.

Clinton was Commander of the British forces in America after the resignation of General
William Howe. Beckwith was the head of British intelligence operations in the Colonies at the end of the Revolutionary War.

Copy of a letter from a Gentleman in Philaa. to Capt. Beckwith.

Yours of the - came safe to hand - Nothing material since my last - The Papers which [inserted: I now send] will give you all that we know from the Southward - Mr. C-s- still remains too much [illegible] to go to the Army - I observe what you say with respect to the ascertaining of the Force and Situation of Gen. Washingtons Army [illegible] and will carefully attend to that matter - but at the same time it is very uncertain whether or not I shall be able to carry that Point.
The mode of G. Washingtons corresponding with Congress for some time past, has been chiefly by Express & not by Post, and those Express pass through by different Routs & in as secret a way as possible - …

Beckwith, George, 1753-1823
Clinton, Henry, Sir, 1730-1795
Washington, George, 1732-1799

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