Description:

John Quincy Adams
Boston, MA, January 18-25, 1802
J.Q. Adams 4x Signed ALS, With Scathing Dismissal of Jefferson's Govt.: "As popularity is the fundamental principle both of our Legislature and Executive, they will be satisfied to provide for the occasions of the day, and leave future times to take care of themselves…" Also Mentions Hamilton, Madison, Gallatin & Others!
ALS

An assembled packet of correspondence including an autograph letter signed and a law book list signed four times by future 6th U.S. President John Quincy Adams (1767-1848). January 18-25, 1802. Boston, Massachusetts. Featuring a total of four Quincy Adams signatures: signed twice as "John Q. Adams" and signed twice as "John Quincy Adams." Comprised of a 1p autograph letter signed by John Quincy Adams; a 1p autograph manuscript (a reading list) twice signed by John Quincy Adams; and a postscript of the reading list signed by John Quincy Adams. The third page of the packet appears to be an insert listing the book requests of a relative, a "Mr. Quincy." With an integral address leaf engrossed by Quincy Adams bearing philatelic markings and docketed in an unknown hand. On laid paper. Expected wear including gentle toning, scattered foxing, and flattened transmittal folds. Isolated areas of loss on the blank fourth page and integral address leaf corresponding to remnants of a red wax seal. Else very good. 7.5" x 9.125."

John Quincy Adams wrote this letter with outstanding political content to fellow Federalist Rufus King (1755-1827), then in London serving as U.S. Minister to the United Kingdom. Adams had recently returned from Europe and was back to practicing law. He describes the current "political atmosphere" in the United States in Winter 1802 in damning terms. Adams had ample political, professional, and personal reasons to disapprove of Thomas Jefferson's government and policies: Adams, a Federalist, had been recalled from his diplomatic posting in Prussia after his father, John Adams, had lost the presidential election of 1800 against Thomas Jefferson. Nevertheless, Adams' critique as outlined here is firmly grounded in argument and evidence.

Adams refers to Thomas Jefferson only by title or honorific, as "the Executive" and "the President." Alexander Hamilton is mentioned as "General Hamilton," and James Madison is referred to as "the Vice-President." Other notables mentioned include Treasury Secretary Albert Gallatin as well as Democratic-Republican sitting Congressmen General Samuel Smith, William Branch Giles, and John Randolph.

Adams wrote in part:

"Our political atmosphere still remains serene - since the meeting of Congress, it appears there is a large majority in the house of Representatives, and a decided, though small one, in the Senate, favourable to the view of the Executive. - The measures recommended by the President at the opening of the Session, are all popular, in all parts of the union - But they are all undergoing a Scrutiny in the public newspapers more able and more severe than they will probably meet in either house of Congress - A writer in the New York evening post, said to be General Hamilton has undertaken particularly to point out great and comprehensive errors of system in the message, and his doctrines find great approbation among the federalists…

The report from the Treasury exhibits a pleasing view of the present State of our finances. It is merely a statement, and avoids with caution the proposal of any measures - The President however has drawn from it the inference that our internal taxes ought to be repealed - This measure will probably be carried into effect - The established System of naturalization, and the judicial courts will have the same fate - Of all these changes the advantages are immediate, obvious, popular, and trifling - Their probable inconveniences are remote, are therefore not discernible to the short sight of the million, and are of the most weighty consequence. - As popularity is the fundamental principle both of our Legislature and Executive, they will be satisfied to provide for the occasions of the day, and leave future times to take care of themselves…"

Of added interest are Adams' (and Quincy's) appended reading list request of British books to be imported to the United States. Adams relays specific instructions to Rufus King regarding the purchase and binding of some 30 book titles, all law books with many of the latest editions dating from the 1790s. The cost of the books - estimated to be about £50 sterling - was directed to Adams' bankers, of the firm Bird, Savage & Bird. Some of these titles include "4. Harrison's chancery practice"; "7. Gilbert's Law of replevin"; "12, Williams's abridgment of cases argued during the reign of Geo: 3"; and "29, Kyd, on bills of exchange &c." The reading lists underscore that, even if the United States had successfully won the American Revolution, its societal underpinnings were still based on English law.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 7.5" x 9.125"
  • Medium: ALS

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