Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848 to Thomas B. Adams
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07118 Author/Creator: Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848 Place Written: St. Petersburg Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1812/03/04 Pagination: 4 p. ; 25.1 x 20.2 cm. Order a Copy
Signed with his initial "A." Adams discusses family matters, his declining a seat on the Supreme Court. He expects war with Great Britain: "All the information that we receive from the United States... indicates a disposition and measures leading to War. As far as these may consist in preparations and in raising of a force sufficient to give weight to our claims... it gives me pleasure to see them. But I cannot reconcile myself to the idea of a War... which can only promote the purposes of France that is forced upon us by the stupid obstinancy of the British Cabinet." Adams also predicts hostilities between France and Russia (which led to Napoleon's invasion of Russia). War against Britain was declared on 18 June, about the same time that the British ministry acceded to most American demands.
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