Adams John Quincy
Adams Signed Speech on Slavery Issue of Nullification, The Declaration of Independence and Constitution

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS Oration inscribed to Cabinet Secretary Crowninshield, delivered the day President Monroe died, July 4, 1831. Speech inscribed and signed: "B.W. Crowninshield Esq/With the Respects of/J.Q. Adams", 40p, 6x9. 4 pages tanned, rest are lightly foxed. Heavily stained and soiled on cover (not at writing or signature), which has separated from the text, frayed at edges, lower blank right corner missing. Back cover has separated, lower edge has also separated, but a large partial fragment is present. Internally good, but very fragile. Signed on the brown cover in the blank area above the title "Mr. Adams' oration".

The patriotic speech printed in this pamphlet was delivered by President Monroe's Secretary of State and sixth U.S. President in Quincy, Massachusetts, his hometown, in 1831 on the 4th of July. Unbeknownst to Adams, James Monroe died that day in New York City. Adams later delivered Monroe's eulogy. BENJAMIN CROWNINSHIELD served in Madison's and Monroe's cabinets as Secretary of the Navy and had represented Massachusetts in Congress until 1831, the year Adams returned to Congress.

This speech commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the drafting of the Constitution and Adams' opposition to the nullification issue, which he believed to be illegal and dangerous to the Union. At the opening of the speech is a printed history of how it came to be printed, in part: "Quincy, July 6, 1831/Hon. John Q. Adams/Sir,- Agreeably to a vote on the 4th inst. at the Town Hall, by those who listened to your learned and eloquent address…we present to you our united thanks therefor, and respectfully request a copy for the press…." Adams replied in print, in part: "Gentlemen/A copy of the address, prepared at the request of the citizens, inhabitants of Quincy, on the occasion of their recent celebration of our national anniversary, is…submitted to your disposal…." The speech is copyrighted: "Boston:/Richardson, Lord and Holbrook./1831".

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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