Our Collection

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.

Morris, Robert (1734-1806) to John Langdon

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06527 Author/Creator: Morris, Robert (1734-1806) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Letter signed Date: 12 September 1782 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 32.1 x 20.1 cm. Order a Copy

Tries to convince Langdon not to resign as the superintendent of construction for several ships of war. Urges him not to "despond" or "abandon the business when so near to a completion." Explains that he has not been supplied with more money because there is so little. Claims that "When you compare the trifling sums I have received with the extent and magnitude of the services to be performed by them, you will pity a situation the distresses of which cannot be conceived by those who have not witnessed them." Assures him he has no enemies who "attribute your conduct to mercenary principles." Written at the Marine Office.

Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

Morris, Robert, 1734-1806
Langdon, John, 1741-1819

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