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.

Dickinson, John (1732-1808) to Catharine Macaulay

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01790.03 Author/Creator: Dickinson, John (1732-1808) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 17 December 1770 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 23 x 19 cm. Order a Copy

Sends a piece of American silk as an expression of his admiration and gratitude for her.

Macaulay is a British historian in support of American liberty.
Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

17 December 1770
Madam
As it would be in vain for Me to think of sending you a Present, equal in Value to that with which you have honored Me, I have endeavoured to procure one, that might in some Degree be worthy of your Acceptance.
My Attempts have been susuccessful. This in my Power, however, to convince You, that besides her native production, my Country can happily adopt some useful ones from foreign Parts; and I do not doubt, but this Information will afford Satisfactioon to a [2] Mind as benevolent as your own, and so kindly disposed towards these colonies
My Friend Mr. Cottrel will wait upon You with a Piece of American Silk - a new think among Us. If its novelty, or the unaffected Sentiments of Esteem, Gratitude, and Respects with which it is offered, can in any
manner atone for its trifling worth and recommend it, I shall receive a sincere Pleasure.
With many wishes for your Happiness, and with great Truth
I am,
Madam
your much obliged
most obedient and
most humble servant
John Dickinson
Philadelphia
December 17th 1770

[docket]
Dec 17th 1770
From Mr Dickinson
with my answer

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