LS, one page both sides, 8.25 x 13, August 2, 1820. Letter written to Mr. S. K. Gillman, editor of The American Advocate newspaper, designating an additional publisher to document the acts of the first session of the sixteenth Congress. In part, “Maine having been elected into an independent Commonwealth and, as such, admitted to the Union, I have thought it would be useful to select an additional Newspaper, through the medium of which to promulgate the Laws of the United States enacted at the first session of the sixteenth congress, for the better information of the People of the new State. I have accordingly, chosen your paper for the purpose…The Act of the 11th of May, repeals only in part that of the 20th of April, 1818; and you will not fail to observe, in publishing the Laws, all the requisites, still in force, prescribed by the latter, which you will find, at page 63, in the pamphlet copy of the Acts of the first session of the fifteenth Congress…It is expected that you will, on no account, divide any one Act, unless, from its great length it should exceed the limits of your four whole pages of your print. The Acts, in each instance of publication, to commence on the first page of your paper. During the publication of the Laws, you are desired to forward your newspaper regularly to the Department of State. It has indeed been usual for the Publishers of the Acts of Congress to furnish the Department with their respective papers for the entire year; and it is hoped that, under the present appointment, you will conform to that custom - without additional charge however, on that account…When you have completed publication of all the Acts and resolutions designated, your account therefore will be paid, at the Department of State, at the rate of one dollar per page of the printed pamphlet of the same Acts and resolutions. In making out your account…you will please to observe the form annexed, and not couple with it any other items of charges against any of the offices of Government. You may add a receipt , signed by yourself, and a draft for the money will be forwarded to you.” Signed at the conclusion in black ink, “John Quincy Adams.” Integral second page bears a 7 x 3 free-franked address panel, addressed in Adams’ hand to “Mr. S. K. Gillman, Editor of the ‘American Advocate,’ Hallowell, Maine,” and franked in the upper right, “Department of State, J. Q. Adams.” Letter is nicely cloth matted and framed by the Gallery of History, to an overall size of 20.5 x 19, and affixed by hinges (so both sides can be viewed) to a larger cloth and frame bearing a transcript of the letter, an informational plaque, a portrait of Adams and a small name plate, to an overall size of 45.5 x 27. Please note: Due to the size of this item, additional shipping charges will apply. Please contact R&R Enterprises for additional information. In fine condition, with expected mailing folds, light showthrough from text on reverse, a touch of light toning, mostly in folds, partially intact red wax seal and all writing and signatures clear and legible. COA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
