ADAMS, JOHN, President. Autograph letter signed in full to Henry Channing of New London, Connecticut; Quincy, Massachusetts, 1 August 1817. 1 1/2 pages, 4to, integral address leaf FREE-FRANKED WITH A SECOND SIGNATURE, a few light stains, fold separations affecting a few letters, these separations reinforced with archival tape on inner pages, a 1/2 x 1 in. piece missing from first leaf with loss of five letters text. "THE CONSTITUTION OF THE U.S. AND THOSE OF THE INDIVIDUAL STATES ARE ALL HOTBEDS OF AMBITION; AND LONG MAY THEY CONTINUE TO BE SUCH" An interesting letter in which Adams recalls James Asheton Bayard of Delaware (1767-1815). An ardent Federalist member of the House of Representatives, Bayard played an important role in the resolution of the election crisis of 1800. Later Bayard, John Quincy Adams, Albert Gallatin and Henry Clay had negotiated the Treaty of Ghent with Great Britain, concluded in 1814. Adams thanks Channing for some newspapers, whose contents "would have surprised me, if I had not witnessed a Series of such phenomena for sixty years past. Mr. Bayard was critically situated during his whole life, and has acted an essential part, in one at least of the most dangerous moments of our History. A part known only to himself and me. A part which preserved his Country from Civil War, and his Nation from division. Though he was an orator a stateman and an amiable man is Education and connections had given him too favourable an Opinion of the English Government and Nation. In his last moments he was convinced of it and wished to explain himself. There is internal Evidence...which no man but myself can explain, of Mr. Bayards penitence in his last hours. I could explain to you in half an hour in conversation what for want of Eyes and Fingers, I could not write in a Week. "I am certainly Sorry, that J[ohn] Q[uincy Adams] has been distinguish[ed by] his Colleagues. They were all able men, and I doubt not all contributed to the great result: a result of which I do not believe J.Q. capable without the Assistance of his Colleagues. "The Constitution of the U.S. and those of the individual States are all Hotbeds of Ambition; and long may they continue to be such: for our Growth and Prosperity depend upon it. Our Squantum Sachems have buried the Hatchet. There let it remain under a Rock. I know very nearly how long it will remain. I have read -- Digito com pesce labellum...."
ADAMS, JOHN, President. Autograph letter signed in full to Henry Channing of New London, Connecticut; Quincy, Massachusetts, 1 August 1817. 1 1/2 pages, 4to, integral address leaf FREE-FRANKED WITH A SECOND SIGNATURE, a few light stains, fold separations affecting a few letters, these separations reinforced with archival tape on inner pages, a 1/2 x 1 in. piece missing from first leaf with loss of five letters text. "THE CONSTITUTION OF THE U.S. AND THOSE OF THE INDIVIDUAL STATES ARE ALL HOTBEDS OF AMBITION; AND LONG MAY THEY CONTINUE TO BE SUCH" An interesting letter in which Adams recalls James Asheton Bayard of Delaware (1767-1815). An ardent Federalist member of the House of Representatives, Bayard played an important role in the resolution of the election crisis of 1800. Later Bayard, John Quincy Adams, Albert Gallatin and Henry Clay had negotiated the Treaty of Ghent with Great Britain, concluded in 1814. Adams thanks Channing for some newspapers, whose contents "would have surprised me, if I had not witnessed a Series of such phenomena for sixty years past. Mr. Bayard was critically situated during his whole life, and has acted an essential part, in one at least of the most dangerous moments of our History. A part known only to himself and me. A part which preserved his Country from Civil War, and his Nation from division. Though he was an orator a stateman and an amiable man is Education and connections had given him too favourable an Opinion of the English Government and Nation. In his last moments he was convinced of it and wished to explain himself. There is internal Evidence...which no man but myself can explain, of Mr. Bayards penitence in his last hours. I could explain to you in half an hour in conversation what for want of Eyes and Fingers, I could not write in a Week. "I am certainly Sorry, that J[ohn] Q[uincy Adams] has been distinguish[ed by] his Colleagues. They were all able men, and I doubt not all contributed to the great result: a result of which I do not believe J.Q. capable without the Assistance of his Colleagues. "The Constitution of the U.S. and those of the individual States are all Hotbeds of Ambition; and long may they continue to be such: for our Growth and Prosperity depend upon it. Our Squantum Sachems have buried the Hatchet. There let it remain under a Rock. I know very nearly how long it will remain. I have read -- Digito com pesce labellum...."
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
