Description:

John Quincy Adams ALS Quoting His Father "trust the Ruler with his skies"

An autograph letter signed by President John Quincy Adams, using the same quote his father once used in a letter to Thomas Jefferson. 1p of a bifolium, measuring 7.75" x 9.75", Boston, dated September 20, 1827. Signed "J.Q. Adams" and addressed to Secretary of the Treasury, Richard Rush. With flattened folds, and ghosting of the text at the lower margin due to the page being folded. Lightly toned but boldly signed.

Adams declines to remit a penalty, stating the man's case is "one of high aggravation." He also writes of the death of Prime Minister George Canning. He concludes the letter with a quote from Alexander Pope's poem "Imitation of Horace" (1730s), which had also been used by his father, John Adams, in a letter to Thomas Jefferson dated August 9, 1816. Docketing on verso reading, "The President - Sep: 20. 1827." 

In full:

"I have endorsed on the Petition of Captain Stansbury received with your Letter of the 11th inst. my reasons for declining to remit the penalty of his bond. The case appears to me upon his own shewing to be one of high aggravation. The papers transmitted to me with the Petition are also returned with it. Mr. Canning's decease has buried in my bosom all the feelings of resentment which his conduct towards us had kindled: I hope that wiser and better men will take his place. But if not, we must contend with them, as we have done with him, and 'trust the Ruler with this skies'."

Adams' mention of "Mr. Canning" was in reference to George Canning, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, who had died six weeks prior to this letter. He and Adams were at odds over his support of Latin American affairs and interests for Britain that were adverse to the United States. Canning had at one point proposed a Monroe Doctrine-like deal between the two countries, but Adams refused to consider it. From this letter, it is clear that the animosity Adams held for Canning still ran deep even after the latter's death.

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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