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.

Knox, Henry (1750-1806) to Lucy Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00432 Author/Creator: Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 2 September 1776 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket ; 19.3 x 15.8 cm. Order a Copy

A brief and hurried letter to let Lucy know that he is well and in good spirits. Displays optimism about the war, although at the time the American forces were being driven from New York City by the British.

[draft]
New York Septr 2 1776
My dearest friend
I wrote you about two hours ago, For fear that should not reach you or miscarry I write to now to let you know that I am well in good Spirits & think we shall beat the British [Genius's?] very soon when I will return to my love with all the affection I am capable of - Heaven is on our side, we shall thru his Interposition and the arrangement now made beat these Philistines Kiss my babe - the post office is Remov'd to Kings Bridge very foolishly - don't mind reports for only cowards go there & they mu[st] raise lyes in order to countenance [2] going off - I write you truly I think with firmness & good conduct that We have more advantages that they are aware of -
I am my dearly beloved
Yours most Affectionately
HKnox

[address leaf]
Mrs Lucy Knox
New Haven

[docket]
HKnox to
his Wife

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Knox, Lucy Flucker, 1756-1824

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