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.

Washington, George, 1732-1799 to John Adams re: career prospects of John Q. Adams, the Jay Treaty

Order a pdf of this item here.

A high-resolution version of this object is available for registered users. LOG IN

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02793.004 Author/Creator: Washington, George, 1732-1799 Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1795/08/20 Pagination: 3 p. : Height: 25.2 cm, Width: 20.7 cm Order a Copy

Written as President to his Vice President. Washington writes that young Adams should not think of retiring because his fair prospects may bring him to the head of the diplomatic corps. Washington also mentions the protests in Boston and elsewhere against Jay's Treaty. He calls "these meetings in opposition to the constituted authority... useless, as they are at all times improper and dangerous." J. Q. Adams eventually served in St. Petersburg.

Adams, John, 1735-1826
Washington, George, 1732-1799
Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources