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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.

Adams, John Quincy (1767-1848) to Sylvanus Bourne re: complaints about Mr. Skipwith

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07117 Author/Creator: Adams, John Quincy (1767-1848) Place Written: The Hague Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1795/02/19 Pagination: 2 p. + addr 23.1 x 19 cm Order a Copy

As Minister to the Netherlands he complains about a letter from Mr. Skipwith, "who must know perfectly well that I cannot command a farthing of public money for the application of which I am not expressly authorized." Adams also questions the authenticity of the Skipworth's letter. Adams fears that complying with the vague request for money will "lead to circumstances unpleasant to me, and dangerous to those we are disposed to serve."

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

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