Search | Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

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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.

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1798/07/16

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Letter signed

Title: To: John Rutherford.

Call to convene Senate to receive communication (Quasi-War)-Washington's acceptance of command in the event of war with France.

GLC04468

1812/06/17

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: To: Samuel B. Malcom.

Politics, party & family feuds.

GLC04524

1779/11/04

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elbridge Gerry

A fond leave-taking signed "God bless you" at the end. The letter also discusses his firm belief in the need for separate powers, his acceptance of an appointment as commissioner to France and his wish that Gerry might send him intelligence from America.

GLC04425

1812/06/24-26

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Rush re: economic policy, declaration of war

"The prudence of an individual is the policy of a nation. Self preservation is the first law of nature to both...France, under Washington's administration, had in defiance of all laws human and divine, plundered our commerce in every sin in Europe and the West Indies...a plan was laid...which looked forward with a prudent foresight to the defence and preservation of the country...who destroyed this system? The Congress of the Nineteeth Century who by repealing the taxes, have emptied their treasury? Who by mud docking my navy have disarmed themselves at sea?...June 26. War! War! War! Sure…

GLC07306

1783/01/19

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Letter signed

Title: To: Charles Dumas

Paris Peace Negotiation: " The Great Points of Independence, The Fisheries, The Mississippi and the Boundaries are settled to our satisfaction."

GLC07975

1807/09/01

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Rush

With separate (disconjugate) address leaf. Also discusses Jefferson Administration as "Monarchical, anti-Republican government;" the debates in 1776; the possibility of war, and his interest in the outcome of Aaron Burr's treason trial.

GLC04879

1812/09/18

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Rush re: Jefferson and Madison's Presidential terms, War of 1812

"Those who brought us into this confusion are the best qualified to bring us out of it" (War of 1812).

GLC07492

1797/10/24

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rev. Dr. Walter re: Europe's political strife, system of checks and balances

Some edge losses at top right, affecting a few letters. A rare letter, written as president, commenting on his writings on government, and their influence on the Federal constitution and his depair over Europe's political and military strife. He thanks Dr. Walter for sending two volumes of essays from Count Rumford and then elaborates of his system (in his book Defense of the Constitutions of the United States) of checks and balances between an executive and legislative branch. He writes in part that the three volumes of the Defense "were written with a view of not only compassing the…

GLC06666

1812/07/07

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Rush re: support for US in War of 1812

Writing from retirement, Adams writes to his friend Rush on a variety of topics, especially the War of 1812. This letter was written one month after the United States declared war on Great Britain. "I believe with you that Wars are the natural and unavoidable Effect of the constitution of human Nature and the fabric of the globe is destined to inhabit and to rule. I believe further that wars, at times, are as necessary to the preservation and perfection, the Prosperity, Liberty, Happiness, Virtue and independence of Nations as Gales of Winds to the Salubrity of the Atmosphere...." Adams also…

GLC06742

1783/02/06

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Document signed

Title: Passport for "Eagle" of John Sanders re: cessation of war, proclamation of peace

Printed document cosigned by American peace commissioners Benjamin Franklin and John Jay, mentioning the cessation of hostilities between Great Britain and the U.S., and asking for passage for the ship "Eagle" now at London and bound for Jamaica. Appears to have been printed at Franklin's press at Passy.

GLC06398

1785/02/24

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph document signed

Title: To: King George III.

Establishing diplomatic ties with England. Letter of credentials. A true copy in Adams' hand, with clerical copies of Adams' appointment and William Smith's appointment.

GLC07946

1814/11/18

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: To: Charles F. Adams.

"You have reason to exult, that you are a 'freeborn American' and I wish you may never be ashamed to boast of it. In all cases remember, that birth, without wisdom, is reproach and disgrace."

GLC07947