Adams, John, 1735-1826 to unknown re: reflecting on his Presidency (signed after illness)
Order a pdf of this item here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05263 Author/Creator: Adams, John, 1735-1826 Place Written: Quincy, Massachusetts Type: Letter signed Date: 1823/05/09 Pagination: 1 p. 25 x 20.4 cm Order a Copy
Signed with a very shaky hand, apparently after suffering a stroke. Important letter in which Adams reflects on the foreign affairs of his presidency, especially the Quasi War and the convention of 1800. "... there was war between St. Dennis [i.e., France] and St. George [Britain], [and] each had an army in America constantly skirmishing with each other, and both of them constantly stabbing me with lancets, spikes and spears. [M]y sole object was to preserve the peace and neutrality of the country, and thank God, I obtained [it], at the loss of my power and fame, with both sides."
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.