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Lot 4
Adams, John. Remarkable Manuscript Letter Signed "John Adams," 2pp, 10 x 8 in., front and verso. Montezillo [Quincy, Mass.], July 24, 1821. Integral leaf addressed by his granddaughter Susanna to "Peter S. DuPonceau Esqre/Philadelphia." Postal markings "Quincy MS July 25th Free," franked "J Adams" in blank area at the upper left of "Philadelphia." There was too much ink in Adams’ pen when he signed this letter resulting in a slight blotting (the integral address leaf was folded before it had dried) and show-through. The distinct dark franking signature has been slightly smudged, possibly by Adams himself, resulting in what appears to be a partial fingerprint. Minor soiling at the edges. The letter has been expertly strengthened and repaired at the seal tear.
Adams thanks Peter S. DuPonceau for his recently published pamphlet, "A Discourse on the Early History of Pennsylvania," the Annual Oration delivered before the American Philosophical Society in Philadelphia on June 6, 1821. Elected to the A.P.S. in 1791, attorney Peter S. DuPonceau (1760-1844) was at the time a Vice President of the Society, serving as its President from 1828-1844.
In part, "…The History of Pensylvania [sic] is an interesting subject not only to her citizens but to all America and to all the World – The character of Mr Penn is as amiable as it was great, I hope you will find time to write the history of both, for I believe that no man possesses talents and industry that are better fitted for the service. – Your painting in the 24th page of the arrival of the gallant Ship, and her sailing up the river, and the conference under the great Elm is exquisite. These events ought to be celebrated with as much ardor as our 22d December [the day the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock--Dec. 11 in the Julian calendar]. Mr. Penns recognition as brethren of all who believed in one God, the upholder and supporter of the Universe is worthy of eternal remembrance and universal imitation; but you will pardon me if I think your panegyric in the 12th page is some what too eloquent, it is true, that Mr Penn had a great and powerful mind as a Theologian, he may be ranked with Mr Whitfield and Mr. Wesley Count Zinzendorf and Baron Swedenbergh as a law-giver may be classed with Milton Lock, Hume Franklin and Sieyes and surely this is glory enough for a great man; but they are altogether not worth one Montesquieu or one Vattle [sic, probably Voltaire who is mentioned elsewhere in the pamphlet]. This treatment of the Indians is very amiable and exemplary, but all his exertions together in their favour are not to be compared with those of the great Elliot of fifty years before – It must be remembered that he had to deal with the Lennimenape [sic, Lenni Lenape] who were a peace society long before his arrival. If we believe Heckewelder and not the fierce ferocious blood thirsty race which the Plymouth adventurers and Mr Elliot had to encounter and that race fostered encouraged stimulated, furnished with arms ammunition and the art of using them by Morton and Gardner the friends and advisers of Arch Bishop Laud. Moreover it ought not to be forgotten that Mr. Penn was a courtier in the reigns of Charles and James. That he owed his vast acquisitions to their justice or their favour – that they courted him to promote a toleration of the Catholic religion, which the English nation then thought equivalent to an establishment of it and the total extirpation of the protestants – Nor should his raging appetite for land be forgotten not content with the vast territory of Pensylvania he thirsted for New Jersey and Deleware. His name always reminds me of a saying of one of your countrymen Mr Bouteneau of Boston a Man of fortune amd excellent Character a refugee from persecution in France, who said mankind is never satisfied – If I did own the whole town of Boston I should not be contented – I should say Charlestown is so handy – Genghis kan said the whole globe is not sufficient to satisfy the ambition of a great man, and if Mr Penn had possessed the whole Globe it seems to me as if he would have wept, that there was not another globe within his reach to purchase. Such alass [sic] were the infirmities of the greatest and best Men, which our species has produced. This is between ourselves I should be unwilling to see it public, because it must offend the citizens of Pensylvania and the whole body of friends, for all of whom I have too much respect, esteem, and affection, to offend any of them without necessity…."
Note at upper left of first page: "In the handwriting of Miss Adams/Now Mrs Treadway," penned in an unknown hand between 1833 and 1884. The text of the letter is in the hand of his granddaughter, Susanna Boylston Adams Clark Treadway (1796-1884), daughter of his son Charles Adams (1770-1800). After her father died on November 30, 1800, four-year-old Susanna moved into the newly occupied White House with her mother Sarah, whose brother William was married to John Adams’ only daughter, Abigail. She was the first child to live in The White House.
Included is the first edition pamphlet (not the one sent to Adams), 38 pages, 8¼ x 5 in., Philadelphia: Printed and Published by Abraham Small, No. 165, Chesnut Street. 1821. Last two pages, unrelated to the oration, are loose. Inscribed on the cover title page in the upper right by DuPonceau "Presented to the Hon: Thos [partially cut off]/By his most obed Servt/The Author." Printed number "89947" on verso of title page and on page 33. Light soiling. Blank margins probably trimmed. Howes D583. Sabin 21379. AI 5213. Wilkinson 6953.
An article about the discovery of this letter was reported a few years ago in "Philadelphia" magazine, estimating its value at $125,000. Ex John F. Fleming with his original presentation folder, c. 1940s.
Estimated Value $16,000 - 20,000.
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