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, Abigail (1744-1818) to Hannah Cushing

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 #: GLC09394 Author/Creator: Adams, Abigail (1744-1818) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 17 February 1812 or 1813 Pagination: 1 p. Order a Copy

Comforts Hannah Cushing on the death of her nephew, John Cushing Aylwin, who died aboard the U.S.S. Constitution after its battle with the HMS Java in December 1812. Adams quotes from Cato: "How beautiful is death when earned by virtue / Who would not be that youth? What pity is it / That we can die but once to serve our Country."

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources