The Jubilee of the Constitution. A Discourse Delivered at the Request of the New York Historical Society, in the City of New York, on Tuesday, the 30th of April, 1789.

ADAMS, John Quincy.

Item Number: 125033

New York: Published by Samuel Colman, 1839.

First edition of John Quincy Adams’ powerful speech—“one of Adams’ best”—delivered at the request of the New York Historical Society on the 50th Anniversary of Washington’s Inauguration. Octavo, bound in modern wrappers with the original front wrapper adhered to the front panel, frontispiece and half-title. In very good condition. Ownership name to the front panel. Housed in a custom folding case.

One of the greatest diplomats and secretaries of state in American history, John Quincy Adams is best known for his historic role in the development American foreign policy; staunchly defending the ideals of liberty, nonintervention, and freedom of commerce. A Harvard trained lawyer, Adams was notorious for his fervently nationalist commitment to U.S. republican values and classical liberal ideals. After serving as the sixth president of the United States from 1825 to 1829, Adams was elected as the United States Representative of Massachusetts and became a leading proponent for the abolition of slavery. The Jubilee of the Constitution was delivered by Adams at the request of the New York Historical Society on Tuesday, April 30th 1839, marking the fiftieth anniversary of the inauguration of George Washington. In the discourse, Adams examined the historic roots of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States, arguing for the unification of the United States and against the limitations placed upon the central government in the recent Articles of Confederation.