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.

Adams, John Quincy (1767-1848) to Edward C. Delavan

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01409 Author/Creator: Adams, John Quincy (1767-1848) Place Written: Quincy Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 31 July 1832 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

Adams thanks Delavan for the 5th number of the Temperance Recorder, a publication of the New York State Temperance Society of which Delavan was chairman. Assures Delavan that he will distribute copies of the issue as "may fulfill the humane and benevolent purposes of the New York State Temperance Society, and their Executive Committee."

Edward Delavan, a leader in the U.S. temperance movement, played a key role in the founding of the New York State Temperance Society.

Edward C. Delavan, Esqr., Chairman of the
Executive Committee of the New York State
Temperance Society, Albany
Quincy 31. July 1832
Sir
Your letter of the 3d inst[ant]t together with twenty copies of the 5th. number of the Temperance Recorder, having been addressed to me at this place, was received by me, on my arrival here a few days since. I have already distributed among my friends and acquaintances part of the printed papers and shall with pleasure dispose of the rest in such manner, as I trust may fulfil the humane and benevolent purposes of the New York State Temperance Society, and their Executive Committee. The societies devoted to the same object in the Commonwealth are numerous, and active and embrace among their leading members many of the Citizens most highly respected in the state. The labours of these excellent Institutions have been crowned with signal success, which with the blessings of Providence, we may humbly hope will be extended, till this vice of intemperance shall be as rare as it is pernicious and disreputable.
I am with great Respect, sir, your obed[ien]t serv[an]t,
J. Q. Adams

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848
Delavan, Edward Cornelius, 1793-1871

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