Our Collection

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.

Lovell, James, 1737-1814 to Samuel Holten

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01450.020.08 Author/Creator: Lovell, James, 1737-1814 Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: December 5, 1780 Pagination: 4 p. : Height: 24.5 cm, Width: 20 cm Order a Copy

Recipient inferred from content (also, handwriting on the docket matches that on other letters). Signed with initials. Lovell states that he received his letter. Remarks that he will not send him all the bad news that has come to him since the recipient suffers in mind and body. He prompts him to read the Epistle of Bush to Shippen because the writer criticizes Lovell in it. States that Mr. Adams (John Adams) has defended the resolution of March 18 against the opinions of the Count de Vergennes (Charles Gravier) of France. On March 18, 1780 the Continental Congress had passed a resolution that states Continental dollars will be accepted at a rate of 40:1. He states "That France is as much benefitted by trading with us as we are by trading with her." He then discusses currency rates, trade with France and England, and gaining and preserving credit abroad.

Lovell, James, 1737-1814
Holten, Samuel, 1738-1816
Adams, John, 1735-1826
Gravier, Charles, 1719-1787

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources