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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.

Wayne, Anthony (1745-1796) to William Gibbons, Jr.

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01633 Author/Creator: Wayne, Anthony (1745-1796) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 22 September 1784 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 22.5 x 18 cm. Order a Copy

Written by General Wayne as a member of the Pennsylvania Assembly concerning his Georgia plantation "Richmond." The state of Georgia gave Wayne a tract of land for his military service during the Revolution. Instructs Gibbons to hire an overseer to watch the property and any enslaved people that Major Fishbourne shall purchase. Trusts he will superintend and give the necessary directions for "the repair of the banks" so the fields can be prepared for a crop in the spring. Declares he will be there in November and will stay until the next summer, but that it will depend on climate and circumstances. Says provisions and tools will be wanting and he will have cash in the spring to buy what Gibbons feels is needed.

Philadelphia 22nd Sepr 1784
Dear Sir
I wrote you some time in the Spring concerning Richmond. I must reiterate my request that you will be so obliging as to [strikeout] procure a trusty Overseer to [strikeout] take charge of it & of such Negroes as Major Fishbourn shall purchase, I shall rely upon your friendship for the superintending of the whole & giving the necessary directions for the repair of the banks &cs so as to prepare it for a Crop in the Spring - when I shall fully Stock it. I shall be with you in November & continue until summer perhaps longer - but that will depend upon Climate & Circumstances. Provision & tools will be wanting, I shall be in cash in the spring [2] when I will [strikeout] [inserted: arrive & discharge such Contracts as] Major Fishbourn & yourself may think proper to make upon my Acct.
Interim I am with much Esteem
Your most Obt
Humb Servt
Anty Wayne
Wm. Gibbons Jnr.

[docket]
22nd Sepr 1784
to
Willm Gibbons Jr. Esq.

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