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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, Samuel, 1722-1803 Draft of letter soliciting aid for patriots in South Carolina and Georgia

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00568 Author/Creator: Adams, Samuel, 1722-1803 Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: August 1781 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 20.4 x 16.5 cm. Order a Copy

Written by Adams as President of the Massachusetts Senate. References a letter received 31 July 1781 enclosing a Congressional resolution of support for South Carolina and Georgia. Says humanity should induce them to reply, but when you consider their patience and fortitude as patriots to their country's cause, they especially deserve recognition. Says that even though there are so many applications for funds to this body, that this one has weight because of the affliction the people of the south suffer and because of their early support of the Revolution in Boston. Signed note at bottom asks another official if this draft is acceptable. If it is asks that a better copy be made because "my trembling hand will not admit of my making a fair Copy." Docket on verso says this draft was "submitted to my father by S. Adams."

Adams, Samuel, 1722-1803

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