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.

Fox, Henry, Baron Holland (1705-1774) to William Shirley

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09054.19 Author/Creator: Fox, Henry, Baron Holland (1705-1774) Place Written: London, England Type: Manuscript letter Date: 31 March 1756 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 29.9 x 19.6 cm. Order a Copy

Letter politely ordering Shirley to return to England as soon as possible. "It having been represented to the King, that your Presence in England may be very useful & necessary to His Majty's. Service at this Time, as you are able to give many Lights & Informations, relative to the State of Affairs in North America; I am to signify to you His Majesty's Pleasure, that, as soon as you shall receive this Letter from Col. Webb...you do repair to England with all possible Expedition, having first delivered to Col. Webb all such Papers, as relate to the King's Service." Informs in the postscript that a frigate will be ready to take Shirley back immediately. Noted as a copy in the upper left hand corner. Gilt edges and watermarked with a fleur-de-lis, V, backward C, I and VI.

Fox, Henry, Baron Holland, 1705-1774
Shirley, William, 1694-1771
Webb, Daniel, fl. 1756

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources