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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 Alexander H. Everett

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00125 Author/Creator: Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848 Place Written: Washington, District of Columbia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: April 11, 1808 Pagination: 2 p. : free frank ; Height: 23 cm, Width: 19 cm Order a Copy

Thanks Everett, Adams' law apprentice, for a letter written in a classical language (Latin or Greek). Senator Adams praises the value of "ancient learning," but writes this letter in English because he has not used his knowledge of the ancient language in a long time and feels his skill may have diminished. He then comments on the law books Everett has read, specifically works by Lord Coke and Blackstone. He also recommends several other works for Everett to read. Adams concludes with some comments about his family.

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848
Everett, Alexander Hill, 1790-1847
Coke, Edward, 1552-1634
Blackstone, William, 1723-1780

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