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1557

John Adams

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:35,000.00 - 40,000.00 USD
John Adams

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Auction Date:2012 Feb 15 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
ALS, one page, both sides, 8 x 10, January 24, 1795. Letter to Winthrop Sargent. In full: “I have received your favour of the 30th of November and transmitted to Dr Belknap as you desire the Papers inclosed. The Utensils and ornaments represented in the Drawings, are great Curiosities, and seem to shew more skill in Arts, than any of the native Indians, at this day are possessed of. I am not enough in the habit of Antiquarian Speculations to hazard any Conjectures concerning them. I have never interested myself much in the Inquiries concerning the ancient Inhabitants of this Country, or the Part of the World from which they first emigrated.

I should not be at all surprised, if hereafter evidence should be discovered that America was once a Seat of Arts Science and Civilization: nor should I wonder if any one should prophecy that Europe, will cease to be what it is and become as Savage and barbarous as America was three hundred years ago. The Temper and Principles prevailing at present in that quarter of the World, have a Tendency to as general and total a destruction, as ever befel Tyre and Sidon Sodom and Gomorrah. If all Religion and Governments all arts and sciences are destroyed the Trees will grow up, Cities will moulder into common Earth, and a few human Beings may be left naked to chase the Wild Beasts with Bows and arrows.

Printing they say will prevent it. But it would be very consistent with the present professed Principles to destroy every Type and Press as Engines of Aristocracy, and murder every Pen and Ink Man as aiming at superiority. I hope in all Events that Religion and Learning will find an Asylum in America: But too many of our fellow Citizens are carried away in the dirty Torrent of dissolving Europe. I thank you Sir for giving me an opportunity to see those Antiquities, and should be glad to see any others that may appear.” Matted and framed with a reproduction of the second page, to an overall size of 26 x 18. In fine condition, with two neatly repaired folds and some light show-through from writing on reverse.

Adams expresses the underlying hope of the founding fathers, embracing a society where “Religion and Learning“ could thrive and prosper. Written while the French were undergoing a radical revolution, one that widely affected Europe, threatening the aristocracy, monarchy, and the governing powers of religion, Adams laments, “I wonder if any one should prophecy that Europe, will cease to be what it is and become as Savage and barbarous as America was three hundred years ago. The Temper and Principles prevailing at present in that quarter of the World, have a Tendency to as general and total a destruction, as ever befel Tyre and Sidon Sodom and Gomorrah.”

A pro-British Federalist, the ideologies of the Enlightenment threatened to dismantle everything Adams was working towards, that of order, a strong central government, and industrialization: “If all Religion and Governments all arts and sciences are destroyed the Trees will grow up, Cities will moulder into common Earth, and a few human Beings may be left naked to chase the Wild Beasts with Bows and arrows.” Despite having “never interested myself much in the Inquiries concerning the ancient Inhabitants of this Country,” Adams felt quite the affinity for the native residents, as members of the Punkapang and Neponset tribes frequented his childhood home, and he their wigwams. Compelling and revealing content as the vice president reflects on his hopes and aspirations for his great country.
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