Beschreibung:

ADAMS, JOHN, President. Autograph letter signed ("J. Adams") TO DR. BENJAMIN RUSH, Quincy, Mass., 1 September 1807. 3 pages, 4to, 225 x 185mm. (9 x 7 1/4 in.). Fine. [ With :] Autograph free frank ("J. Adams"), on a separate address sheet, addressed in Adams's hand to "Dr. Benjamin Rush Philadelphia," circular postmark and handstamped " Free, " with remnants of red wax seal, docketed by Rush, "J. Adams." ADAMS CONDEMNS THE JEFFERSON ADMINISTRATION AS "MONARCHICAL, ANTI-REPUBLICAN" GOVERNMENT A lengthy letter to his closest confidant, pondering the definition of prudence in public life, recalling debates in Congress in 1776, the controversy over the treason trial of Aaron Burr and commenting on the Jefferson administration. "...Those who gave their Advice for a defensive War in 1775 had more carefully attended to the Character and Conduct of the Government and People of England on one hand, and the People of the Colonies on the other, and had penetrated deeper into the designs and Power of both, than those who were afraid of War and advised against it. The Event has Shown that their prudence was consummate. Those who advised to early overtures of Friendship to France, had considered the State of France, humiliated by the Commerce and Naval Power of Great Britain, and the irresistable temptation which the opportunity presented to the former, to disarm the latter of half her Power and acquire a Share of it to herself. They had better information and a clearer foresight, and therefore more Prudence than their Antagonists. You heard in Congress, I believe, in 1776 the debate between Mr. [John] Dickinson and me, upon the question of Independence. Recollect the arguments of both and then say which of us discovered the most prudence...By Prudence I mean that deliberation and condition which aims at no Ends but good ones...I am anxious to see the Progress of Burr's Tryal: not from any Love or hatred I bear the man, for I cannot say that I feel either...But I think Something must come out of the Tryal, which will strengthen or weaken our Confidence in the General Union. I hope Something will appear to determine clearly, whether any foreign Power has or has not been tampering with our Union...[Burr's actions] could be instigated only by his own ambitious avarice or Revenge. But I hope his Innocence will be made to appear, and that he will be fairly acquitted... "War? or No War? That is the question. Our Monarchical, Anti-republican administration conceal from us, the People, all that Information which I a zealous Republican was always prompt to communicate...If an express stipulation is demanded...that our Flagg on board Merchant as well as Ships of War shall protect all British subjects; Deserters from their Navy and all others, I am apprehensive the English will not agree to it...Prudence would dictate that our government should forbid all its Naval offices to recruit a Deserter from any Nation, in any Case: and if the President has not the power to enact it, Congress should enact it. But our People have such a Predeliction for Runaways of every description except Runaway Negroes that I suppose Congress would think it too unpopular to abridge this right of man. How we will get out of this Scrape I know not...tho' I carry the Principle by the Law of Nations, to as great an extent as Mr. Jefferson does. If the English fly into a Passion and with or without declaring War Seize every ship and Cargo we have at Sea, I don't believe our present Congress would declare War against them. I am sure they cannot consistently, with their avowed system...defend Nothing but our Farms..." Provenance : The Alexander Biddle Papers -- Part 3 (sale, Parke Bernet, 16-17 November 1943, lot ).