Series:

Cambridge Library Collection - North American History

2 primary works • 14 total works

Volume 4

Cover of The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: Volume 4
John Adams (1735-1826) was a highly educated and enlightened lawyer who became a central figure in the American Revolution. As a political theorist he influenced the constitutions of the former British colonies in America, and he is regarded, with Jefferson, as the father of the United States Constitution. First published in 1850-6, this collection brings together Adams' major writings. Given their influence not only on the United States, but also on other republics, Adams' works rank among the most important political writings of their time. Volume 4 includes one of Adams' most celebrated works, Novanglus (1775) and the first part of his famous Defence of the Constitutions (1787), which sets out his views on an ideal constitution. Using his extensive legal knowledge, Adams argued that the provincial legislatures had sovereign power and that the colonies were connected to Britain only through the person of the King.

Volume 6

Cover of The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States
John Adams (1735-1826) was a highly educated and enlightened lawyer who became a central figure in the American Revolution. As a political theorist he influenced the constitutions of the former British colonies in America, and he is regarded, with Jefferson, as the father of the United States Constitution. First published in 1850-6, this collection brings together Adams' major writings. Given their influence not only on the United States, but also on other republics, Adams' works rank among the most important political writings of their time. Volume 6 contains the final part of Defence of the Constitutions, together with essays and correspondence on theories of government, including Discourses on Davila, written while Adams was Vice-President to George Washington. Adams proposes that a hereditary monarchy could act as a suitable balance in some societies. However, such 'reactionary' theories contributed to the breakdown of his friendship with Jefferson.

Cover of Letters of John Adams, Addressed to His Wife Volume 1
American statesman John Adams (1735-1826) was a key player in the early days of the American Revolution, and the second President of the United States (1797-1801). He was involved in drafting the 1776 Declaration of Independence, and as a Congress representative in Europe negotiated peace with Great Britain. First published in 1841, this two-volume book brings together the letters Adams wrote to his wife Abigail between 1774 and 1801. Spanning twenty-five years crucial to the creation and development of the United States as a nation, these letters reveal Adams' reactions to world events and his political views, as well as his daily life and concern for his family. Edited by Adams' grandson, the letters were largely left in their original form, in order to preserve the vitality and character of Adams' style. Volume 1 covers the early years of Adams' political career, from 1774 to 1777.

Cover of Letters of John Adams, Addressed to His Wife Volume 2
American statesman John Adams (1735-1826) was a key player in the early days of the American Revolution, and the second President of the United States (1797-1801). He was involved in drafting the 1776 Declaration of Independence, and as a Congress representative in Europe negotiated peace with Great Britain. First published in 1841, this two-volume book brings together the letters Adams wrote to his wife Abigail between 1774 and 1801. Spanning twenty-five years crucial to the creation and development of the United States as a nation, these letters reveal Adams' reactions to world events and his political views, as well as his daily life and concern for his family. Edited by Adams' grandson, the letters were largely left in their original form, in order to preserve the vitality and character of Adams' style. Volume 2 covers the later years of Adams' political career, from 1777 to 1801.

Cover of The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States, Volume 6...
John Adams (1735-1826) was a highly educated and enlightened lawyer who became a central figure in the American Revolution. As a political theorist he influenced the constitutions of the former British colonies in America, and he is regarded, with Jefferson, as the father of the United States Constitution. First published in 1850-6, this collection brings together Adams' major writings. Given their influence not only on the United States, but also on other republics, Adams' works rank among the most important political writings of their time. Volume 6 contains the final part of Defence of the Constitutions, together with essays and correspondence on theories of government, including Discourses on Davila, written while Adams was Vice-President to George Washington. Adams proposes that a hereditary monarchy could act as a suitable balance in some societies. However, such 'reactionary' theories contributed to the breakdown of his friendship with Jefferson.

Cover of The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States Volume 8
John Adams (1735-1826) was a highly educated and enlightened lawyer who became a central figure in the American Revolution. As a political theorist he influenced the constitutions of the former British colonies in America, and he is regarded, with Jefferson, as the father of the United States Constitution. First published in 1850-6, this collection brings together Adams' major writings. Given their influence not only on the United States, but also on other republics, Adams' works rank among the most important political writings of their time. Volume 8 contains official letters and papers covering the periods when Adams was Vice-President and President. They focus mainly on foreign affairs, in particular the disputes between France, Spain and Britain that threatened to involve the United States. A secret letter from Washington raises the possibility of British troops crossing America to attack Spanish interests.

Cover of The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States Volume 3
John Adams (1735-1826) was a highly educated and enlightened lawyer who became a central figure in the American Revolution. As a political theorist he influenced the constitutions of the former British colonies in America, and he is regarded, with Jefferson, as the father of the United States Constitution. First published in 1850-6, this collection brings together Adams' major writings. Given their influence not only on the United States, but also on other republics, Adams' works rank among the most important political writings of their time. Volume 3 contains diaries and autobiographical writings from 1777 to 1796, several essays, and documents from the 1760s recording campaigns and debates that helped shape the Declaration of Independence. It describes Adams' missions to France and Britain, and also recounts his feelings on having to share, with Benjamin Franklin, a bedroom containing only one bed.

Cover of The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States Volume 1
John Adams (1735-1826) was a highly educated and enlightened lawyer who became a central figure in the American Revolution. As a political theorist he influenced the constitutions of the former British colonies in America, and he is regarded, with Jefferson, as the father of the United States Constitution. First published in 1850-6, this collection brings together Adams' major writings. Given their influence not only on the United States, but also on other republics, Adams' works rank among the most important political writings of their time. Volume 1 contains a biography by Adams' son, John Quincy Adams, the sixth President. It begins by establishing the pedigree of the Adams family, and goes on to give an account of Adams' life that includes extracts from letters to his friends and colleagues and passages from his diary which reveal his political, moral and social concerns.

Cover of The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States Volume 10
John Adams (1735-1826) was a highly educated and enlightened lawyer who became a central figure in the American Revolution. As a political theorist he influenced the constitutions of the former British colonies in America, and he is regarded, with Jefferson, as the father of the United States Constitution. First published in 1850-6, this collection brings together Adams' major writings. Given their influence not only on the United States, but also on other republics, Adams' works rank among the most important political writings of their time. Volume 10 contains personal correspondence including the letters that brought about the resumption of friendship between Adams and Jefferson. It also reveals their rivalry: to a mutual friend, Adams wrote 'I dined a large company once or twice a week. Jefferson dined a dozen a day.'

Cover of The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: Volume 9
John Adams (1735-1826) was a highly educated and enlightened lawyer who became a central figure in the American Revolution. As a political theorist he influenced the constitutions of the former British colonies in America, and he is regarded, with Jefferson, as the father of the United States Constitution. First published in 1850-6, this collection brings together Adams' major writings. Given their influence not only on the United States, but also on other republics, Adams' works rank among the most important political writings of their time. Volume 9 focuses on foreign affairs, and includes letters that shed light on Adams' policy of strengthening the US Navy in light of the threat from France. Among the letters and speeches, one private letter airs his disappointment at the inability of politicians to live up to their promises.

Cover of The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: Volume 2
John Adams (1735-1826) was a highly educated and enlightened lawyer who became a central figure in the American Revolution. As a political theorist he influenced the constitutions of the former British colonies in America, and he is regarded, with Jefferson, as the father of the United States Constitution. First published in 1850-6, this collection brings together Adams' major writings. Given their influence not only on the United States, but also on other republics, Adams' works rank among the most important political writings of their time. Volume 2 contains diaries and autobiographical writings, which vividly depict American politics in the years leading up to the Revolution. The diary begins in 1755 with Adams being awakened by the New England earthquake; it concludes with the momentous year of 1776. It provides fascinating insights both into Adams' domestic affairs and into the birth of a nation.

Cover of The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: Volume 7
John Adams (1735-1826) was a highly educated and enlightened lawyer who became a central figure in the American Revolution. As a political theorist he influenced the constitutions of the former British colonies in America, and he is regarded, with Jefferson, as the father of the United States Constitution. First published in 1850-6, this collection brings together Adams' major writings. Given their influence not only on the United States, but also on other republics, Adams' works rank among the most important political writings of their time. Volume 7 contains papers and correspondence dating from Adams' dispatch to France in 1777 up to his success in negotiating a treaty with Britain in 1782. They provide a fascinating glimpse into the world of eighteenth-century diplomacy, and at the efforts to gain international recognition for the newly-independent United States.

Cover of The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: Volume 5
John Adams (1735-1826) was a highly educated and enlightened lawyer who became a central figure in the American Revolution. As a political theorist he influenced the constitutions of the former British colonies in America, and he is regarded, with Jefferson, as the father of the United States Constitution. First published in 1850-6, this collection brings together Adams' major writings. Given their influence not only on the United States, but also on other republics, Adams' works rank among the most important political writings of their time. Volume 5 contains the central portion of his famous Defence of the Constitutions. Responding to repeated requests for help in drafting individual states' constitutions, Adams here sets out the three principles he considered as being central to a fair constitution: separation of powers, checks and balances, and a legislature of two houses.

Cover of The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States 10 Volume Set
John Adams (1735-1826) was a highly educated and enlightened lawyer who became a central figure in the American Revolution. As a political theorist he influenced the constitutions of the former British colonies in America, and he is regarded, with Jefferson, as the father of the United States Constitution. First published in 1850-6, this collection brings together Adams' major writings. Given their influence not only on the United States, but also on other republics, Adams' works rank among the most important political writings of their time. This ten-volume set includes Adams' autobiography, letters and diaries, as well as theoretical papers on sovereignty and constitutional matters, such as Novanglus (1775) and Defence of the Constitutions (1787). It begins with a biography written by his son John Quincy Adams, the sixth President. The content provides fascinating insights both into Adams' domestic affairs and into the birth of a nation.