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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.

Mercer, John F. (1759-1821) to George Weedon

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06491.06 Author/Creator: Mercer, John F. (1759-1821) Place Written: Princeton, New Jersey Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20 September 1783 Pagination: 2 p. : address ; free frank; 34 x 21 cm. Order a Copy

Relays information related to the negotiation of the Treaty of Paris, ending the American Revolution. Discusses a letter he sent to William Fitzhugh, which was "to be considered in a great measure a joint one." Notes that France has assured the United States that the definitive treaty will not be signed without the Americans, in addition to hinting that "our own facility is running with the British Commerce." Alleges that "we have reason to apprehend that not only great Britain but all the other European Powers, even our friends will pursue the object of deriving advantages from our commerce without allowing us reciprocity." Address leaf is franked by Mercer.

John F. Mercer was a lawyer in Fredericksburg, Virginia, a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, later a Maryland congressman and governor.
George Weedon was a brigadier general in the Continental Army from Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Mercer, John Francis, 1759-1821
Weedon, George, 1734-1793
Meuse, John

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