John Adams Sets Forth the Principles of Government
First edition. This single-volume London edition complete unto itself. Predates the Philadelphia edition. The work was expanded into a three-volume work, with volumes 2 and 3, issued separately, containing descriptions of Italian republics a lengthy treatment on The Right Constitution of a Commonwealth.
A profoundly influential book by the second president of the United States, written while he was serving as the first U.S. Minister Plenipotentiary to Great Britain. A key work in the development of American political theory. Adams argues against the concentration of power and advocates for a balanced government structure, emphasizing the importance of checks and balances. His insights were instrumental in shaping the U.S. Constitution, reinforcing the need for a separation of powers to safeguard liberty and prevent tyranny. Adams' work provided a robust intellectual foundation for the fledgling nation's governance, ensuring a stable and enduring democratic system.
Thomas Jefferson wrote to Adams on Feb. 23, 1787, mostly praising the work, but including one critique: "I have read your book with infinite satisfaction & improvement. It will do great good in America. Its learning and its good sense will I hope make an institute for our politicians, old as well as young. There is one opinion in it however, which I will ask you to reconsider, because it appears to me not entirely accurate, & not likely to do good. Page 362 'Congress is not a legislative, but a diplomatic assembly.' Separating into parts the whole sovereignty of our states, some of these parts are yielded to Congress. Upon these I should think them both legislative & executive; & that they would have been judiciary also, had not the Confederation required them for certain purposes to appoint a judiciary. It has accordingly been the decision of our courts that the Confederation is a part of the law of the land & superior in authority to the ordinary laws... I doubt whether they are at all a diplomatic assembly..."
Rarity
This single-volume first edition is rare in the market.