ADAMS, John. Autograph letter signed ("John Adams"), as President, TO HIS SON THOMAS B. ADAMS (1772-1832), East Chester, 25 October 1797. 3 pages, folio, recipient's docket and remnants of tipping on blank integral leaf .
ADAMS, John. Autograph letter signed ("John Adams"), as President, TO HIS SON THOMAS B. ADAMS (1772-1832), East Chester, 25 October 1797. 3 pages, folio, recipient's docket and remnants of tipping on blank integral leaf . "EXPERIENCE HAS SHEWN THAT JUSTICE & LAW & COMPACT ARE NOT IMPREGNABLE BULWARKS" "DEMOCRACY HAS BEEN SO BLOODY IN FRANCE..." A wide-ranging survey of the European scene, taking in everything from Immanuel Kant and the French Revolution to the spread of democracy in Germany and Adams's admiration of the Dutch. He thanks his son--who was traveling in Europe as an assistant to his brother John Quincy Adams--for his "charming narration of your tour to Paris...I am very glad Mr. [William Vans] Murray arrived before your departure from the Hague." Murray was Adams's ambassador to the Netherlands. President Adams hopes Thomas and his brother John Quincy "will maintain a constant correspondence with [Murray] and the envoys at Paris, particularly my ancient and never failing friend Mr. Gerry. I am much pleased with the affection expressed both by your brother and yourself for the Dutch. I felt the same attachment and feel it at this hour. We must preserve the friendship of that nation and of all others if we can. Such however is the combustible state of Europe, that we must look out for our own security and stand upon our defence. We know not what power may attack us, but we have great reason to fear that some one or other will before many years, and we ought to be better prepared for defence. A navigation and commerce as extensive as ours is a temptation to ambition and avarice as well as hunger, and experience has shewn that Justice & Law & Compact are not impregnable bulwarks." He looks forward to Thomas's tour of Germany and adds "I have heard of a misterious phenomenon in Germany by the name of Kant. Pray give me a little idea of his history and philosophy, as also of the misticism which is said to prevail in the North." He has a barrage of other questions about European affairs: "If Belgium is ceded to France, will Antwerp revive and Amsterdam decline? Will it drain off the waters of opulence from London? Is the prince of Orange to be provided for in Germany? Is Poland null? Are the jealousies of the nobility and the principles of Democracy spread in Germany? What turn will these commotions take? Democracy has been so bloody in France that it seems to have run its career there, and the nation seems sensible of the necessity of something more wise, steady, consistent, just & humane? I have asked too many questions..." Thomas Boylston Adams was the youngest of Adams's four children.
ADAMS, John. Autograph letter signed ("John Adams"), as President, TO HIS SON THOMAS B. ADAMS (1772-1832), East Chester, 25 October 1797. 3 pages, folio, recipient's docket and remnants of tipping on blank integral leaf .
ADAMS, John. Autograph letter signed ("John Adams"), as President, TO HIS SON THOMAS B. ADAMS (1772-1832), East Chester, 25 October 1797. 3 pages, folio, recipient's docket and remnants of tipping on blank integral leaf . "EXPERIENCE HAS SHEWN THAT JUSTICE & LAW & COMPACT ARE NOT IMPREGNABLE BULWARKS" "DEMOCRACY HAS BEEN SO BLOODY IN FRANCE..." A wide-ranging survey of the European scene, taking in everything from Immanuel Kant and the French Revolution to the spread of democracy in Germany and Adams's admiration of the Dutch. He thanks his son--who was traveling in Europe as an assistant to his brother John Quincy Adams--for his "charming narration of your tour to Paris...I am very glad Mr. [William Vans] Murray arrived before your departure from the Hague." Murray was Adams's ambassador to the Netherlands. President Adams hopes Thomas and his brother John Quincy "will maintain a constant correspondence with [Murray] and the envoys at Paris, particularly my ancient and never failing friend Mr. Gerry. I am much pleased with the affection expressed both by your brother and yourself for the Dutch. I felt the same attachment and feel it at this hour. We must preserve the friendship of that nation and of all others if we can. Such however is the combustible state of Europe, that we must look out for our own security and stand upon our defence. We know not what power may attack us, but we have great reason to fear that some one or other will before many years, and we ought to be better prepared for defence. A navigation and commerce as extensive as ours is a temptation to ambition and avarice as well as hunger, and experience has shewn that Justice & Law & Compact are not impregnable bulwarks." He looks forward to Thomas's tour of Germany and adds "I have heard of a misterious phenomenon in Germany by the name of Kant. Pray give me a little idea of his history and philosophy, as also of the misticism which is said to prevail in the North." He has a barrage of other questions about European affairs: "If Belgium is ceded to France, will Antwerp revive and Amsterdam decline? Will it drain off the waters of opulence from London? Is the prince of Orange to be provided for in Germany? Is Poland null? Are the jealousies of the nobility and the principles of Democracy spread in Germany? What turn will these commotions take? Democracy has been so bloody in France that it seems to have run its career there, and the nation seems sensible of the necessity of something more wise, steady, consistent, just & humane? I have asked too many questions..." Thomas Boylston Adams was the youngest of Adams's four children.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
