1845/07/15

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lewis Tappan

Written as congressman. A beautiful and deeply felt letter. Concerning the opposition of abolitionists to his bill to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia. Adams writes that with opposition from both abolitionists and pro-slavery advocates, he resorts to silence and inaction. He further writes that, consulting the "sortes biblicae" (randomly opening a bible to learn one's fortune or course of action), he found the passage where the Prophet [Nathan] advised King David that the Lord had not chosen him to build the Temple (2 Samuel 7: 2-13). He ends the letter here. (Adams died…

GLC03891

1804/07/17

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Uriah Tracy

Adams writes about the possibility of an amendment against slavery, the fact that the House of Representatives represents freemen, and discusses the New York elections.

GLC04754

1817/01/17

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Plumer

Regarding the European feeling that Americans shall "become dangerous members of the Society of Nations." Naval Victories, state of Barbary (fighting the pirates of Barbary and Algiers rather than giving them tribute), enemies everywhere, few friends except Russia. Also mentions subserviency to "Holy Religion, and the Press Gang."

GLC04755

[1792]

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Pamphlet

Title: Observations on Paine's Rights of Man, in a series of lectures, by Publicola

Edinburgh edition. First separate printing, originally published in Boston newspaper June-July 1791. Disbound. Attributed to John Quincy Adams by himself (see GLC 958.07)

GLC04398

1810/11/03

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ezekiel Bacon re: free-trade in turbulent Europe

Written while serving as American minister to Russia. "Neutrality . . . alone will preserve our independence." Folio.

GLC07162

1820/11/13

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Letter signed

Title: to J. Jones & Co. re: selection to publish orders, resolutions, laws, etc.

To editors of Columbian Phoenix & Providence Patriot.

GLC07188

1834/07/29

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Leverett Saltonstall re: "the Constitutional check of the Senate"

"It is...in the Senate alone, that the friends of our Union, and of its Free Republican Institutions, can find a solid foundation for the cheering hope that they will be preserved and redeemed...the Constitutional check of the Senate, fearlessly and faithfully applied."

GLC07279

1788/01/31

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: To: Oliver Fiske

Supporting ratification of the Constitution: "any further opposition to it at present would be productive of much greater evils." (written as a young law student)

GLC07974

1818/12/24

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Letter signed

Title: Fowarding his correspondence with Spain

Fowarding his correspondence with Spain: The purchase of Florida, Seminole war, Andrew Jackson and execution of Arbuthnot and Ambrister.

GLC07981

1809/07/14

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: To: Andre de Daschkoff [in French]

As newly appointed U.S. minister to Russia. Working on "Strenthening the already significant relationship between our two countries."

GLC08010

1842/08/29

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert M. Patterson re: thanks for new electrotype, improving art of coining

Brief thank-you note, written in a shaky hand.

GLC04990

1815/11/29

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Letter

Title: to William Eustis re: relations with the British (in hand of Louisa Adams)

"...[I]f we intend to hold our right as valid we must be prepared to maintain it by force. Early in the course of the summer, the British Governement determined to maintain and to encrease [sic] their naval armaments on the Canadian Lakes this very significant measure appears to have been understood by our Government who have properly taken the hint and determined upon corresponding armaments on our side." Text and signature written entirely in hand of Louisa C. Adams.

GLC07615

1803/10/13

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas B. Adams re: travel plans to meet brother in Frankfort

Adams writes that he shall not arrive in Frankfort until 2 days hence as "my luck ... has been so untoward since I began this journey that I can reckon upon nothing as to time -- for one accident after another has delayed us to such a degree that my patience is almost exhausted."

GLC07561

1836/04/04

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Object

Title: Medal of John Q. Adams

Medal of John Q. Adams

GLC07868.02

1825/04/06

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Document signed

Title: Patent for improvement of building fireplace and chimneys, to Cyrus Blood

Issued to Cyrus Blood. Ribbon is dirty and rather unattractive

GLC06782

1818/02/16

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Letter signed

Title: to Nathaniel Cutting re: appointing arbitrator to settle disputes

Appointing an arbitrator to settle a dispute between Daniel Pettibone of Philadelphia, and Peter Townshend and Van Tassel of Newburg, N.Y., who both claim to have invented a drill for boring cannon.

GLC06694

February 8, 1828

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Document signed

Title: [Patent for Hercules Thomas' invention of the Herculean Hub, an improvement in hubs for carriage wheels]

Signed by Adams as President. Countersigned by Henry Clay as Secretary of State and William Wirt as Attorney General. Thomas' description of the Herculean Hub is signed by [Charles?] Dwight and [Angus?] Peabody as witnesses. Sealed and bound with green ribbon.

GLC06595

1832/11/27

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Blunt

Discusses an example of a British sailor executed for serving on an American ship during the war of 1812. Also discusses Andrew Jackson's election, de-emphasizing its importance, and comments that "the real difficulties of the Country are in another quarter," referring to slavery and the nullification crisis. Closes by quipping: "Van Buren seems to have got the start of Mr. Calhoun, but the whirligig of Time brings about its revenges."

GLC06312

1836/05/03

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Writes that Daniel Webster, in his attempt to gain control of the Senate, has destroyed his own ambitions to be President and any Senate opposition to Jackson. Has "no confidence in the present administration" regarding the national bank crisis and currency. Also discusses confirmation of Roger B. Taney as Chief Justice, and Henry Clay's continuing opposition to Jackson.

GLC06314

1837/04/05

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gerrit Smith

Political situation, Gag Rule, opposition to slavery. "The condition of the African race in this Union has ever been to me subject of deep concern... I have felt an anxious wish that slavery might be abolished... throughout the Union and throughout the world... [but] the people of the free states are spell-bound by the talisman of ambition to sustain the slavery of the south."

GLC06315

1836/04/04

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Solomon Lincoln Esq.

Pontificating on the history and intentions of the Pilgrims and the Founding Fathers, and on the important principles to be learned from America's collective history. Also giving his views on freedom of religion and freedom of speech and the limits that should be put upon them;. also frankly discussing his ambiguous feelings about the issue of slavery. In part: "I would not undertake to say that the one hundred and one Germans of the compact on board the Mayflower, had all, or any of them, a conception of the consequences to the human race, of their emigration from Leyden; any more than…

GLC07868

1836/03/15

Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Discusses disagreements in Congress over his positions at a time when, in his capacity as congressman, he was opposing patronage policies and the proposed "Gag Rule." Comments that "It was unfortunate for Mr. [Daniel] Webster that in the position he occupied on the 3d of March 1835 he hurried the Senate of the United States into a desperate quarrel with the House...upon principles so utterly untenable, and so unpatriotic, that they are sinking him and the Senate, under an unparalleled load of public odium." Although Webster and his followers are trying to take him down, Adams reports…

GLC06313.01