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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 Stephen R. Bradley

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00496.003 Author/Creator: Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848 Place Written: Washington, District of Columbia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: March 12, 1823 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; Height: 26 cm, Width: 21 cm Order a Copy

John Quincy Adams explains his 1804 opposition to a bill supported by General Samuel Smith that would further protect U.S. sailors from British impressment. Refutes Smith's suggestion that Adams' position justifies British impressment. Argues that the legislation did not discriminate between U.S. and British sailors on American vessels and would strain the relationship between the two nations. Claims that the bill's passing would cause the question of war to arise immediately.

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848
Bradley, Stephen Row, 1754-1830
Smith, Samuel, 1752-1839

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