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.

Williams, Jonathan (1750-1815) to William Knox

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 #: GLC02437.00786 Author/Creator: Williams, Jonathan (1750-1815) Place Written: Nantes, France Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 18 November 1779 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket ; 23 x 18.8 cm. Order a Copy

Written to William Knox at Amsterdam. Reports that he asked his uncle about the "chest, cask, & some loose furrs which you desire to be shipped for Amsterdam." Notes that some of the items were sold because they were damaged, and Knox may draw the proceeds from him "at sight: I could have remitted it but could not find a Bill for so small a sum." Reports that the chest will be shipped to Amsterdam at first opportunity, addressed to [John de] Neufville & Son at Knox's request. A note at the top of the page written in a different hand states, "From Jona William at Paris."

Williams served early in the American Revolution as a Continental Agent at Nantes; he remained in France until 1785. He was Benjamin Franklin's grand-nephew. At the time this letter was written, Franklin was negotiating a peace treaty with the British (in France).

[draft]
Mr Wm Knox Nantes Nov 18. 1779
Amsterdam

Dear Sir -

I recvd your favour of the 3d Inst. and immediately enquired of my uncle about the Chest, Cask & some loose Furrs which you desire to be shipped for Amsterdam. He informed me that you had desired those that were in the Cask & loose might be sold if they were found in bad Order, & accordingly seeing them damaged he sold them as [illegible] Sales which you have inclosed [at] Proceeds amounting to 331..11 for which you may draw on me at Sight: I would have remitted it but could not find a Bill for so small a Sum. The Chest still remains in store and shall be shipped to amsterdam [of] first opportunity addressed to Neufville & Son as you direct.
I am very sincerely
Dear sir your obedient Servant
Jon Williams
[address]
To
Mr. Wm. Knox
To the Care of Messr. [J. de]
Neuville & Son
Amsterdam
[docket]
Letter from Mr. Jon Williams
Nants Nov. 18h 1779.
[docket]
Mr. Jon Williams
Nants Nov 18. [text loss]79.

Knox, William, 1756-1795
Williams, Jonathan, 1750-1815
Neufville, John de, fl. 1779-1789

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources