Adams, John, 1735-1826 to Richard Henry Lee
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03864 Author/Creator: Adams, John, 1735-1826 Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 15 November 1775 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Adams outlines the government that he envisions for America, that it should have executive, legislative and judicial branches, similar to the colonial government of Massachusetts. He also argues for a bicameral legislature and insists that judges not have overlapping offices in the other branches. Adams draws to an end with comments about human nature and tyranny. He concludes "if such a Trifle will be of any service to you or any gratification of Curiousity, here you have it...." On the evening of 14 November 1775, Lee, a delegate to the Continental Congress from Virginia, visited Adams at his Philadelphia residence. In the wake of Lexington and Concord, the two men discussed which form of government might be easily adopted by the colonies. Lee requested that Adams write down his plan and then circulated both manuscript and printed copies of the letter to convince colonists that independence would not be as difficult as they feared.
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