Beschreibung:

ADAMS, JOHN, President . Autograph letter signed in full TO RICHARD HENRY LEE of Virginia, Philadelphia, 15 November 1775. 3 pages, 4to, address panel in Adams' hand on page 4, with Lee's autograph endorsement: "Mr. Adams Plan of Government," the two leaves neatly rejoined at central fold, small patch at top edge of first leaf, discreet repairs at fold intersections (affecting two or three letters on page 4), a strip of silk reinforcement along one fold of first leaf, but otherwise in good condition. CREATING "THE WISEST AND HAPPIEST GOVERNMENT THAT HUMAN WISDOM CAN CONTRIVE": THE GERM OF ADAMS'S Thoughts on Government , A PROFOUND INFLUENCE ON THE CONSTITUTIONS OF VIRGINIA (1776), MASSACHUSETTS (1780) AND ULTIMATELY, THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION One of the most influential letters ever written by an American on the subject of government, and one which, in its various incarnations, printed and manuscript, had a fundamental impact on the forms of government adopted by the newly independant states and, later, on the constitution and structure of the Federal government of the United States. Adams writes: "The Course of Events, naturally turns the Thoughts of Gentlemen to the Subjects of Legislation and Jurisprudence, and it is a curious Problem what Form of Government, is most readily & easily adopted by a Colony, upon a Sudden Emergency. Nature and Experience have already pointed out the Solution of this Problem, in the Choice of Conventions and Committees of Safety. Nothing is wanting in Addition to these to make a compleat Government, but the Appointment of Magistrates for the due Administration of Justice. Taking Nature and Experience for my Guide I have made the following Sketch, which may be varied in any one particular an infinite Number of Ways, so as to accomodate it to the different, Genius, Temper, Principles and even Prejudices of different People. "A Legislative, an Executive and a judicial Power, comprehend the whole of what is meant and understood by Government. It is by ballancing each of these Powers against the other two, that the Effort in humane Nature towards Tyranny, can alone be checked and restrained and any degree of Freedom preserved in the Constitution. "Let a full and free Representation of the People be chosen for an House of Commons. "Let the House choose by Ballott twelve, Sixteen, Twenty four or Twenty Eight persons, either Members of the House, or from the People at large as the Electors please, for a Council. "Let the House and Council, by joint Ballott choose a Governor, annually, triannually or Septennially as you will. "Let the Governor, Council, and House be each a distinct and independant Branch of the Legislature, and have a Negative [veto] on all Laws. "Let the Governor, Secretary, Treasurer, Commissary, Attorney General and Solicitor General, be chosen annually, by joint Ballott of both Houses. "Let the Governor with Seven Councillors be a Quorum. "Let all Officers and Magistrates civil and military, be nominated and appointed by the Governor, by and with the Advice and Consent of his Council[.] "Let no Officer be appointed but at a General Council, and let Notice be given to all the Committees, Seven days at least before a General Council. "Let the Judges, at least of the Superior Court, be incapacitated by Law from holding any Share of the Legislative or Executive Power, Let their Commissions be during good Behaviour, and their Salaries ascertained and established by Law. "Let the Governor have the Command of the Army, the Militia, Forts &c[.] "Let the Colony have a Seal and Affix it to all Commissions. "In this way a single Month is sufficient without the least Convulsion or even Animosity to accomplish a total Revolution in the Government of a Colony. If it is thought more beneficial, a Law may be made by this new Legislature leaving to the People at large the Priviledge [ sic ] of choosing their Governer, and Councillors annually, as soon as affairs get into a more quiet