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.

Pike, William (fl. 1789-1790) to Henry Knox

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.04334 Author/Creator: Pike, William (fl. 1789-1790) Place Written: Newburyport, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 24 August 1789 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket ; 22.4 x 18.7 cm. Order a Copy

Writes that he was informed by his friend Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry that Knox was nominated to lead the War Department and that there might be a vacancy in his department for which Pike could apply. Asks that if Knox's department is already full, Knox recommend him to Mr. [likely Samuel] Osgood, who will likely head the Treasury Department, or to any other department head Knox knows.

Samuel Osgood was actually appointed Postmaster General, and the position at the head of the Treasury Department, Secretary of the Treasury, was given to Alexander Hamilton.

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806
Pike, William, fl. 1789-1790
Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814
Osgood, Samuel, 1748-1813

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