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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, 1735-1826 to Elbridge Gerry

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03726 Author/Creator: Adams, John, 1735-1826 Place Written: Braintree, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: September 11, 1779 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; Height: 24.7 cm, Width: 18.4 cm Order a Copy

Adams talks about his efforts to persuade France to send reinforcements for D'Estaing's fleet, his discussions with Genêt, his relations with Lee and Franklin, and describing Lafayette's arrival in Paris to plead America's cause.

Adams, John, 1735-1826
Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814
Hector, Jean Baptiste Charles Henri, Comte D'Estaing (Marquis de Saillans)., 1729-1794
Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834
Genêt, Edmond Charles Édouard, 1763-1834
Lee, Charles, 1732-1782
Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790

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