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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.

Sargent, Winthrop (1753-1820) to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03783 Author/Creator: Sargent, Winthrop (1753-1820) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 3 February 1788 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; 30.1 x 19.6 cm. Order a Copy

Expresses his regret that Knox has rheumatism. Expects that Massachusetts will adopt the Constitution. Discusses several delegates who advocated its adoption. Mentions [John] Hancock's publication in the [Massachusetts] Centinel 2 February 1788, which according to Sargent stated "that we should ratify &c. & propose certain Amendments..." Asks if General [Arthur] St. Clair will hold a treaty with an unspecified tribe of Native Americans and discusses business of the Ohio Company. "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

Sargent was a delegate to the Massachusetts convention which ratified the Federal Constitution in February 1788. He was appointed Secretary of the Ohio Company and Secretary of the Northwest Territory in 1787. St. Clair was appointed as the first Governor of the Northwest Territory in 1787.

Sargent, Winthrop, 1753-1820
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
St. Clair, Arthur, 1734-1818
Hancock, John, 1737-1797

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