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Lot #9
John Quincy Adams

"Reform which consists merely in a change of persons in office is not Administration"

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Estimate: $1500+
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Description

"Reform which consists merely in a change of persons in office is not Administration"

ALS signed “J. Q. Adams,” one page, 7.75 x 9.75, July 14, 1829. Letter to Philip R. Kendall of Washington, in full: "I received with much pleasure your letter of 7th inst. and shall duly attend to the suggestions which it contains. I find myself here so much absorbed with my own private concerns, that the time fails me to think of the public. I have not even followed up the decisions upon the successive indictments against Dr. Watkins—I have regretted to be compelled to believe that if Law, Justice and humanity have been equally outraged in the prosecution against him, his own conduct has been such as to entitle him very little to the sympathy of his country. I enclose this Letter to my Son who has returned to Washington, and I request him to restore your Index to the Newspapers, and also the pamphlets which you had the goodness to lend me, and for which I tender you my thanks. If you have no immediate occasion for the Dissertation upon Parties, it may remain until my own visit to Washington next Winter. The searching process of reform appears to have given satisfaction in no part of the Country, but reform which consists merely in a change of persons in office is not Administration. That is yet to come. The judgment of the Nation upon it will follow. And thus that of Posterity, which may perhaps not be the same." In fine condition, with a light block of toning, and old tape and paper loss to the integral address leaf and a few tiny edge chips. Adams had left the White House only four months earlier, where he was replaced as president by Andrew Jackson—. He soon grew bored in his retirement and returned to politics, winning a seat in the House of Representatives in the 1830 election; he continued to serve in Congress until his death in 1848. A fantastic autograph letter boasting his desirable thoughts on political reform.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: August
  • Dates: #533 - Ended August 08, 2018





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