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Lot 548
Adams, John. 2nd President of the United States, 1797-1801.
Autograph Letter Signed ("John Adams"). As President. One page, quarto, Philadelphia, January 23, 1800. To George Minot. Professionally restored and reinforced. Lot includes rare rebound copy of Judge Minot's Eulogy on the Death of Washington referred to in the letter. Overall, the lot is in fine condition.
This is truly a wonderful lot, touching as it does on two presidents and how a nation mourned its greatest hero.
Adams' letter (from Philadelphia!) to George Minot thanks him for a printed copy of the address he gave to the city of Boston on the death of George Washington. "I pray you to accept of my Thanks for a Copy of your Eulogy on General Washington which I duly received and have read with great Pleasure.The gravity and sobriety of this Composition so well adapted to the solemnity of the subject and occasion, demands the highest praise of judicious Readers no less than the purity of Language and chastity of the Sentiments. The remarkable Mortality, at this Epocha among Men who have long been conspicuous in public View is a Solemn Lesson to those of us, who have long traveled in their Company. I am Sir with great Esteem your most obedient and obliged Servant John Adams."
The death of Washington plunged the whole nation into mourning. Memorial services were held all over the country, with speeches, prayers and processions honoring the former President. Minot's Eulogy is a moving speech and vividly illustrates the hold Washington had over the hearts and minds of Americans. Although not so well known as Light Horse Harry Lee's ("…First in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his Countrymen…"), this Eulogy is worthy of such company: "…Where Liberty was, there would be his country: Happy for us, the Genius of Liberty, responsive to his affections, resolved that where Washington was, there also should be her abode…To trace this protector of our liberties through his unrivaled career, from his gloomy retreat through the Jersies to his several victories and his splendid triumph at York-Town, would be to narrate the varying history of our revolution. To him, public labour was amusement, suffering in the cause of freedom was a luxury, and every hour as it flew carried an offering to his country…When he declined your future suffrages, he left you a legacy. What! like Ceasar's to the Romans, money for your sports? Like Attalus's, a kingdom for your tyranny? No; he left you not such baubles, nor such purposes. He left you the records of wisdom for your government; a mirror for the faithful representation to your own view, of yourselves, your weaknesses, your advantages, your dangers:…a pillar to the unity of your republic…When so much worth steps off the stage of life, the weakness of our nature is the only apology for our tears. Such an exit is not death, it is the triumph of the just…as you regard the memory of your ascended Chief, attend to the injunctions of his will. Remember that it was not for you along he laboured. It was for your posterity also; it was for the human race…They lament that their beloved Washington sleeps in death; their only consolation is that his faithful Brother, the vigilant Adams, survives."
Interestingly, George Minot had occasion to correspond with Washington. Minot's history of Shay's Rebellion (published in 1788) and his Continuation of the History of the Province of Massachusetts Bay from the Year 1748 (1798) were both sent to the President with letters from Minot. Washington's replies, held in the Library of Congress, indicate satisfaction with both books and with Minot's "…proofs of talents and patriotism…"
Estimated Value $25,000 - 35,000.
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