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 (1735-1826) to Commissioners of City of Washington

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 #: GLC03865 Author/Creator: Adams, John (1735-1826) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 16 January 1798 Pagination: 1 p. 22.4 x 16.4 cm Order a Copy

Congratulates the board on obtaining a $100,000 loan from the state of Maryland. Referring to their activities superintending the construction of Washington, D.C., suggests the commissioners present a "full and candid statement on the whole in a Memorial to Congress."

Philadelphia January 16.1798
I have received your Letter and congratulate you on your Success, in obtaining a Loan from the State of Maryland of one hundred thousand Dollars.
I have considered the other Representations in your Letter, and upon the whole agree with you in opinion, that it will be most prudent for your Board to prepare a full and candid Statement of the whole in a Memorial to Congress to be Signed by you, and presented or at least attended by one of you at Philadelphia.
Your responsibility as well as mine will be the less formidable if We communicate the whole of our Proceedings to Congress from time to time. With great Esteem, I am Gentlemen <Commissioners of the . . .Washington> &c. John Adams

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources