PROPERTY OF A LADY
ADAMS, John. Letter in the hand of an unidentified amamuensis, bearing Adams' Free frank signature ("J. Adams"), on address leaf, to Charles Holt, Quincy [MA], 22 March 1825. 1 page, 4to, fold tears neatly mended, later inscription on address leaf, otherwise fine.
Details
ADAMS, John. Letter in the hand of an unidentified amamuensis, bearing Adams' Free frank signature ("J. Adams"), on address leaf, to Charles Holt, Quincy [MA], 22 March 1825. 1 page, 4to, fold tears neatly mended, later inscription on address leaf, otherwise fine.
ONLY TWO WEEKS AFTER HIS SON IS INAUGURATED AS PRESIDENT, HIS FATHER VOWS "I SAVED THIS COUNTRY FROM A RUINOUS FOREIGN, AND CIVIL WAR"
A fascinating letter in which the elderly Adams stoically defends his own accomplishments as President, just two weeks after his son John Quincy had been inaugurated as the 6th President. The 89-year-old Adams, who was virtually unable to hold a pen at this late stage of his life, reflects on his term in office: "I am much affected with your kind letter of the 4th inst. You are not alone sir in your change of opinion since 98 - great numbers have since been convinced that at the sacrifice of my popularity, and my Office, I saved this country from a ruinous Foreign, and Civil War." The proud father closes the letter with thanks for "your kind congratulations on the choice of a President."
Adams' presidency (1797-1801) was plagued by the impact of European war upon American commerce and the domestic quarrels of political faction. As French privateers attacked American shipping and the public clamored for war, Adams sought a diplomatic resolution. The mission he sent to Paris found itself embroiled in the "X,Y,Z" affair, a French effort to extract a bribe from the American ambassadors. The resulting Quasi-War with France (an undeclared naval war), which began in 1798, led to increased political division at home which Adams attempted to limit with the Alien and Sedition Acts, which constrained free speech and the press. This led to a sharp decline in Adams' popularity and intense contemporary disapproval. It was upon this groundswell of criticism that Adams lost the presidency to Thomas Jefferson in the Election of 1800.
ONLY TWO WEEKS AFTER HIS SON IS INAUGURATED AS PRESIDENT, HIS FATHER VOWS "I SAVED THIS COUNTRY FROM A RUINOUS FOREIGN, AND CIVIL WAR"
A fascinating letter in which the elderly Adams stoically defends his own accomplishments as President, just two weeks after his son John Quincy had been inaugurated as the 6th President. The 89-year-old Adams, who was virtually unable to hold a pen at this late stage of his life, reflects on his term in office: "I am much affected with your kind letter of the 4th inst. You are not alone sir in your change of opinion since 98 - great numbers have since been convinced that at the sacrifice of my popularity, and my Office, I saved this country from a ruinous Foreign, and Civil War." The proud father closes the letter with thanks for "your kind congratulations on the choice of a President."
Adams' presidency (1797-1801) was plagued by the impact of European war upon American commerce and the domestic quarrels of political faction. As French privateers attacked American shipping and the public clamored for war, Adams sought a diplomatic resolution. The mission he sent to Paris found itself embroiled in the "X,Y,Z" affair, a French effort to extract a bribe from the American ambassadors. The resulting Quasi-War with France (an undeclared naval war), which began in 1798, led to increased political division at home which Adams attempted to limit with the Alien and Sedition Acts, which constrained free speech and the press. This led to a sharp decline in Adams' popularity and intense contemporary disapproval. It was upon this groundswell of criticism that Adams lost the presidency to Thomas Jefferson in the Election of 1800.