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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 [Appointment of Samuel C. Crafts as Commissioner for fifth division of Vermont]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04426 Author/Creator: Adams, John, 1735-1826 Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Document signed Date: 7 March 1799 Pagination: Order a Copy

Countersigned by Secretary of State Timothy Pickering. Crafts was given power to act as one of the five commissioner in Vermont under "An Act provide for the valuation of lands and dwelling-houses and the enumeration of slaves within the United States." The act was passed on 9 July 1798 after the XYZ Affair became public and the public clamored for war. Five days later, on 14 July 1798, another act was passed to lay and collect a direct tax within the United States. The monies collected from this tax were designated to help arm the country for an impending war with France. Crafts was appointed after Ebenezar Crafts resigned. Stipulates Crafts holds the position until end of next session of the Senate. One black and white bust engraving of John Adams included.

Adams, John, 1735-1826
Crafts, Samuel Chandler, 1768-1853
Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829

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