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John Adams LS

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:NA
John Adams LS
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Exceptionally stirring and important letter signed by John Adams almost 50 years after the American Revolution, after which enough time had passed that Adams felt compelled to correct the record about the true causes of the American Revolution. Addressed to Jonathan Mason of Boston, letter is dated 31 August 1820 from ''Montezillo'', Adams' playful comparison to Jefferson's larger estate at Monticello. In this letter, Adams posits that the fear and hatred of heirarchy, especially in matters of religion by The Church of England, were the wellspring of revolution, rather than simple economic or social issues. In part, ''…The real principles, Motives, and feelings which gave rise to the Revolution have been very superficially and imperfectly investigated. For one example among many, The dread of the Hierarchy; and of the high principles in Religion and government; which then prevailed in the Church of England and which were more openly and dogmatically professed and asserted in America than in England itself - Are not sufficiently known, and have not been sufficiently considered. - Indeed it is almost impossible to convince at this day, any young Man; or even any middle aged Man of the extravagance to which those high doctrines were carried before the Revolution…And of the Authority of the Church in matters of Religion - yet these Doctrines, I heard asserted almost every day - The idea that such a Church, and such doctrines and such Hierarchy where [sic] to be established by Act of Parliament appeared to me worse than Death - As I know this to be the feeling and Principle of all the Dissenters in America - I did not believe they would submit to it…I therefore believe as early as I can remember, that this Country would never submit to the Unlimited Authority of Parliament - And this opinion forced me to consider what would be the consequences of an attempt on the part of Great Britain, to carry into execution a Soverign Legislative Authority over Us. - War and Carnage, and devastation I saw - or thought I saw must be the consequence - and I fully believed that all the horrours of such a Contest would never wholly subdue the old non-conformist Spirit…'' Signed boldly and clearly ''John Adams''. Two page letter with integral franked address leaf measures 8'' x 10''. Minor loss from seal tear on address leaf, else near fine. Housed in a light blue cloth folding case, with the blue morocco spine lettered gilt.