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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.

Langdon, John (1741-1819) to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03461 Author/Creator: Langdon, John (1741-1819) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 18 February 1787 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 31.2 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

Asks Knox for assistance in providing for his family as he had a debt in England and "all the merchandize [sic] I had from thence was taken from my place of depository by the British ... " Also asks if Knox has any open positions, as he needs the work to support his family.

Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

Boston Feby 18th 1787
Dear sir
Influenced by that regard and Friendship which I doubt not were reciprocal in our younger dayes, imboldens me at this Time to address you - I now take the liberty to give you a Cursory view of my distress'd situation, am in a manner out of Business, and a very Large Family to provid for, the exigancy of which are very detrimental to my Feelings, by not having any Resource to allevate them - I might have been put into a good way of Business, was it not for my debt in England, which was [Contract'd] prevous to war, all the Merchandize I had from thence was taken from my place of depository by the British, and ever since the peace took place have been rather incredulous in entering largely into business, Fearing I should be stript of my property, which would not only distress my self but be Injurious to those friends that supply'd me -
now my dear sir, if you have any birth in Office that You Can bestow, and think I Merit, and will be so Obliging as to bestow it on me, Shall at no future friend of my Life be forgot -
I wish your Family Continual Health, and you every blessing to Ballance the Unavoidable evils attending this Life -
I am with very great Regard
Dear sir
Your Most Obed:t and
Very Humb:le Serv:t
John Langdon
Henry Knox Esqr.

[docket]
Capt John Langdon
Boston 18th February 1787
answered 25th

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Langdon, John, 1741-1819

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