|
Sale 58
|
|
press UP arrow key to increase the zoom ratio.
press DOWN arrow key to decrease the zoom ratio.
press RIGHT arrow key to increase the zoom window size.
press LEFT arrow key to decrease the zoom window size.
|
|
Lot 2
Adams, John. Autograph Letter Signed "J. Adams," 4pp, 9 5/8 x 7¾ in., Quincy (Mass.), October 10 and December 19, 1808. Fine; boldly penned and signed.
In part: "I cannot…wholly defend the long Continuance of the Embargo. I thought it at first a necessary Measure, but was fully apprehensive it could not be long continued. I am neither an Advocate nor an accuser of Mr. Jefferson without discrimination. I can acquit him of Partiality to Napoleon, but not entirely to the french Nation. I have long known his bias to the French and his bitterness to the English….Mr. Jefferson in my opinion has long ago adopted two very erroneous opinions. 1. That England was tottering to a fall. That her Strength and Resources were exhausted, that she must soon be a Bankrupt and unable to maintain her naval Superiority. This I never believed and we shall yet have proofs enough and to spare of her tremendous Power, though I dread it not. Tom Pains Reflections in the Rubicon and his other Prophecies of British Revers[e] I personally know were Mr. Jeffersons opinions and continued to be so even when he was Vice President. 2. But the second opinion was still more erroneous and still more fatal. He did not study the French Nation, nor consider the Character of her Court, her Nobility, her Clergy, her Lawyers, her Institutions, and much less the nature of her common People, not one in fifty of whom could write or read. He had studied so little the nature of Man, and still less the nature of government, that he came from France and continued for years fully persuaded that that Nation would establish a free Republican government and even a levelling Democrary, and that Monarchy and Nobility would be forever abolished in France….his opinions recommended him to the French Revolutionary Government and Nation; and especially to all the French Ambassadors, Consults and other agents…even to Tallerand and the Duke de Liancourt [Rochefoucault] who all exerted all their influence…to exalt Mr. Jefferson over my shoulders, and to run me down as an Aristocrat and a Monarchist….my opinion of the French Revolution produced a coldness towards me in all my old Revolutionary Friends and an Inclination towards Mr. Jefferson which broke out in violent Invective and false imputations upon me and in flattering Panegyricks upon Mr. Jefferson, till they ended in a consignment of me forever to private Life and the elevation of him to the Presidents Chair. My Writings were but a Pretext. They knew that neither Aristocracy or Monarcy were recommended to this Country in any of them…."
On December 19 he continues the letter, noting that the palsy in his right hand has not kept him from holding a pen, adding "nor have I ceased to contemplate the Crisis of our affairs. Nor am I fearful of committing my Thoughts to Paper….It would be vanity to sett up my own System as the only one that could have saved us….Si velis Pacem para bellum, is by the Federalists said to be Washingtons Doctrine….My System has always been to prepare for war so far as to fortify our most important and most exposed Places on the Frontier and on the Seaboard, and to prepare for War by Sea so far as to build Frigates and other Smaller Vessells Schooners and Brigantines, by degrees as our Revenues could afford….To what use are 100,000 Militia to defend our Merchandise at Sea? to what End are 2 or 300 gun boats to protect our Commerce? For what Purpose can Ten thousand Troops on the Continent of America, for the protection of our ships in the Mediterranean the Baltic the English Channel the Bay of Biscay, or the West indian or East indian oceans? The Embargo I presume must be relaxed. If not it will either produce a general violation of it, which will cost more than foreign war….Mr. Madisons Administration will be a scene of Distraction and Confusion if not of Insurrections and Civil War, and foreign War at the same time both with France and England if the Embargo is not lightened. Why then are not orders given to equip and man all the Frigates we have and to build more in all our great Seaports? It is in vain for me, who stand unconnected and alone the object of the Jealousy and aversion of both Parties, to repeat the opinion which I have uniformly held and always inculcated for more than thirty years that a Navy is our natural and our only Defence…."
There is much more superb content in which he gives his opinion of embargoes, refers to the 1774 Congress, quotes Patrick Henry, and ends by saying," Yet I have raised no clamour against these Measures, being determined to support the government…as far as I can in Conscience and in honour." He signs at the bottom of the 4th page, then writes a vertical note down the left margin of the 1st page, dated Dec. 20th, "I have no Clerk and must send this Letter without preserving a copy. Therefore burn it." The recipient, of course, knew better than to burn such a letter. A landmark John Adams Autograph Letter Signed.
Estimated Value $100,000-UP.
|
| |
| Unsold |
|
