Beschreibung:

ADAMS, JOHN, President . Autograph letter signed ("John Adams") TO DR. BENJAMIN RUSH, Quincy, 24-[26] June 1812. 3 pages, 4to, 230 x 190mm. (9 x 7 1/2 in.), left-hand margin of first page browned, a few circular stains from seal. [ With ]: Autograph free frank ("J.Adams") on integral address leaf addressed in Adams's hand to "Dr Benjamin Rush Philadelphia," slightly soiled . ADAMS PONDERS "THE STRONG FEATURES OF MY CHARACTER," SUMS UP HIS PRESIDENTIAL POLICIES AND CONCLUDES THAT "THE PRUDENCE OF AN INDIVIDUAL IS THE POLICY OF A NATION" A rich, rambling letter of sardonic reminiscence and vitriolic denunciation. Former President Adams defends his actions as President, attacks his successors for undoing his wise policies, excoriates the Madison Administration for bringing on war with Great Britain and gives a definition of the duties of a stateman. He opens jestingly: "The Decadency of Government is obvious, through the world, and it is to be feared the cause of it is the general Relaxation of family Discipline...[M]y Rib [Abigail Adams] had the boldness to say to me 'When you write to Dr. Rush, you string together Epithets and Adverbs and Substantives, just as the boys string together their Robbins Eggs in long rows in the Spring...." Someone has sent him a pamphlet by E. Bronson, An American View of American Affairs : "I wish to know the writer. Some young gentlemen I presume, whose pen has not run long enough to glide with ease. [He writes]... Something...about me; which...required a degree of boldness very uncommon in this age. The decent Freedoms with [Thomas] Jefferson and [James] Madison show [the author] to be a Federalist...It is astonishing to see how little the Policy of this Union is understood and how totally forgotten or misremembered is its History. What does this Man mean by 'the Strong Features of my Character,' which 'I impressed on the counsels of my Country'?... "The Prudence of an Individual is the Policy of a Nation. Self Preservation the first Law of Nature to both. It is the first Duty of a Statesman especially of the first Magistrate of a Nation to watch and provide for the Preservation and Safety of his Country in all her Interests; her Agriculture, her Commerce, Her Navigation her Fisheries; all her Rights...; nay I will add her Morals, her Religion, in some degree or other; her Liberties; and...to preserve a National consciousness of her own Right, a National Feeling of her own Power, a National Resentment of National Wrongs and Injuries... France under Washington's Administration, had, in defiance of all Laws human and divine, plundered our Commerce...had insulted us to our Faces...had invaded your Delaware River...had entered the harbour of Charleston S[outh] C[arolina] and burned a ship...at Noon Day in Sight of the World...When these injuries were felt, and an Ambassador sent by Washington to Remonstrate against these outrages, that Ambassador was rejected with Contempt. When Washington Slipped his Neck out of the Collar [retired as President] and left me to inherit his Contentions and his Ministers; and I sent a new Embassy of three, [Charles Cotesworth] Pinckney, [Elbridge] Gerry and [John] Marshall, these were rejected with Contempt, and worse than Contempt. Attempts were made to terrify them as if they had been Children; demands were made of them, of insufferable Insolence, and even Bribes were demanded of them to a very large amount [the 'X,Y,Z Affair']..." Under these circumstances, he asks angrily, "what 'Strong Features of Character' were exhibited? Is there a dastard? Is there a Poltroon? Is there a Stock or a Stone in these United States, that did not feel? Measures were taken with the Utmost Coolness Moderation and Simplicity by the Congress...to defend the Country and Demand Justice, not to take Revenge. And a plan was laid of Revenue Navy Yards and Naval Power, and executed too, which looked forward with a prudent Foresight, to the defence and Preservation of the Country in future