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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 James Bridge

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00958.07 Author/Creator: Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848 Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: August 10, 1791 Pagination: 6 p. : Height: 24 cm, Width: 19 cm Order a Copy

Adams denies that his father had any part in writing the Publicola letters, which attacked Thomas Paine's "Rights of Man" as too radical. Adams does acknowledge that he is the author, claiming that idleness motivated his effort to "dabble in political speculation." The letter reveals Adams' knowledge of his father's abuse by enemies. Adams also expresses mixed feelings about participating in politics. Information about Adams' law practice and news about the lives of various mutual friends also appears.

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848
Bridge, James, 1765-1834
Paine, Thomas, 1737-1809

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