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 Silvanus Bourne

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04403 Author/Creator: Adams, John Quincy (1767-1848) Place Written: Berlin, Prussia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 17 July 1798 Pagination: 1 p. : address ; 23.5 x 19 cm. Order a Copy

Refers to letter of Bourne's from 10 July 1798. Written to the American General Consul in Amsterdam. Tries to console Bourne about the publication of one letter and the false statements made about the contents of another that made him appear pro-French by Russell (possibly Boston newspaper publisher John Russell). Says the controversy is minor but that the explosive atmosphere in America after the XYZ affair will make it appear worse than it is. Claims the real letter would have been innocuous and the real controversy is the breach of trust of his correspondent. Says letter is short because he must assist his sick wife.

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848
Bourne, Sylvanus, 1761-1817

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