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Thoughts on government applicable to the present state of the American colonies.: Philadelphia, Printed by John Dunlap, M,DCC,LXXXVI.
Facsimile reprint of the original.
28 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1776
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John Adams
928 books125 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
John Adams was an American statesman, attorney, diplomat, writer, and Founding Father who served as the second president of the United States from 1797 to 1801. Before his presidency, he was a leader of the American Revolution that achieved independence from Great Britain. During the latter part of the Revolutionary War and in the early years of the new nation, he served the U.S. government as a senior diplomat in Europe. Adams was the first person to hold the office of vice president of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797. He was a dedicated diarist and regularly corresponded with important contemporaries, including his wife and adviser Abigail Adams and his friend and political rival Thomas Jefferson.
A lawyer and political activist prior to the Revolution, Adams was devoted to the right to counsel and presumption of innocence. He defied anti-British sentiment and successfully defended British soldiers against murder charges arising from the Boston Massacre. Adams was a Massachusetts delegate to the Continental Congress and became a leader of the revolution. He assisted Jefferson in drafting the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and was its primary advocate in Congress. As a diplomat he helped negotiate a peace treaty with Great Britain and secured vital governmental loans. Adams was the primary author of the Massachusetts Constitution in 1780, which influenced the United States Constitution, as did his essay Thoughts on Government.
Adams was elected to two terms as vice president under President George Washington and was elected as the United States' second president in 1796. He was the only president elected under the banner of the Federalist Party. Adams's term was dominated by the issue of the French Revolutionary Wars, and his insistence on American neutrality led to fierce criticism from both the Jeffersonian Republicans and from some in his own party, led by his rival Alexander Hamilton. Adams signed the controversial Alien and Sedition Acts, and built up the Army and Navy in the undeclared naval war with France. He was the first president to reside in the White House.
In his bid in 1800 for reelection to the presidency, opposition from Federalists and accusations of despotism from Jeffersonians led to Adams losing to his vice president and former friend Jefferson, and he retired to Massachusetts. He eventually resumed his friendship with Jefferson by initiating a continuing correspondence. He and Abigail generated the Adams political family, including their son John Quincy Adams, the sixth president. John Adams died on July 4, 1826 – the fiftieth anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Adams and his son are the only presidents of the first twelve who never owned slaves. Historians and scholars have favorably ranked his administration.
John Adams was an American statesman, attorney, diplomat, writer, and Founding Father who served as the second president of the United States from 1797 to 1801. Before his presidency, he was a leader of the American Revolution that achieved independence from Great Britain. During the latter part of the Revolutionary War and in the early years of the new nation, he served the U.S. government as a senior diplomat in Europe. Adams was the first person to hold the office of vice president of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797. He was a dedicated diarist and regularly corresponded with important contemporaries, including his wife and adviser Abigail Adams and his friend and political rival Thomas Jefferson.
A lawyer and political activist prior to the Revolution, Adams was devoted to the right to counsel and presumption of innocence. He defied anti-British sentiment and successfully defended British soldiers against murder charges arising from the Boston Massacre. Adams was a Massachusetts delegate to the Continental Congress and became a leader of the revolution. He assisted Jefferson in drafting the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and was its primary advocate in Congress. As a diplomat he helped negotiate a peace treaty with Great Britain and secured vital governmental loans. Adams was the primary author of the Massachusetts Constitution in 1780, which influenced the United States Constitution, as did his essay Thoughts on Government.
Adams was elected to two terms as vice president under President George Washington and was elected as the United States' second president in 1796. He was the only president elected under the banner of the Federalist Party. Adams's term was dominated by the issue of the French Revolutionary Wars, and his insistence on American neutrality led to fierce criticism from both the Jeffersonian Republicans and from some in his own party, led by his rival Alexander Hamilton. Adams signed the controversial Alien and Sedition Acts, and built up the Army and Navy in the undeclared naval war with France. He was the first president to reside in the White House.
In his bid in 1800 for reelection to the presidency, opposition from Federalists and accusations of despotism from Jeffersonians led to Adams losing to his vice president and former friend Jefferson, and he retired to Massachusetts. He eventually resumed his friendship with Jefferson by initiating a continuing correspondence. He and Abigail generated the Adams political family, including their son John Quincy Adams, the sixth president. John Adams died on July 4, 1826 – the fiftieth anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Adams and his son are the only presidents of the first twelve who never owned slaves. Historians and scholars have favorably ranked his administration.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 12, 2018
John Adams virtue and great mind are the fabric of our nation.
Always refreshing to read the incredible insights of President John Adams. Especially satisfying to re-read at a time when the democracy faces such pernicious moments.
Always refreshing to read the incredible insights of President John Adams. Especially satisfying to re-read at a time when the democracy faces such pernicious moments.
October 15, 2021
This is a really interesting and brief letter that John Adams permitted to be copied and then later published as a pamphlet expressing his "Thoughts on Government." I am currently reading David McCullough's biography of John Adams and he mentioned this document so I found it online and read it.
In the letter/pamphlet Adams introduces many of his ideas of good government, including what he sees as the purpose of government, the role of virtue in promoting happiness, his assertion that Republican government is the best form because it is an "Empire of laws, not of men" quoting a statement by English philosopher John Harrington.
Adams then suggests that that the legislative body of the Republic "should be in miniature, an exact portrait of the people at large. It should think, feel, reason, and act like them. That it may be the interest of this Assembly to do strict justice at all times, it should be an equal representation, or in other words equal interest among the people should have equal interest in it. Great care should be taken to effect this, and to prevent unfair, partial, and corrupt elections."
Adams then proposes the concept of the separation of legislative, executive, and judicial powers of government, and states his reasons why he thinks that is the wisest course of action. He proposes having two legislative bodies with the ability to check one another, and proposes that the judiciary should should be able to check and balance the legislative and executive powers of the government. He says that the chief executive should, among other things, be the commander in chief. He proposes having annual elections and that judges should be appointed for life as long as they have "good behavior." He also says that the government should have the ability to change the mode by which people are elected if it turns out that the current mode isn't working well. He also says that the judges should be nominated and appointed by the executive with "the advice and consent" of the legislative branch of government.
Adams also asserts the importance of the "upright and skillful administration of justice" by a judiciary which is independent from the executive and legislative branches of government. He talks about the various branches of government checking and and balancing each other. He also talks about the importance of educating the youth and the poor.
It was really fascinating to read this letter and realize how many of Adams general ideas of good government later became adopted in the Constitution of the United States of America.
In the letter/pamphlet Adams introduces many of his ideas of good government, including what he sees as the purpose of government, the role of virtue in promoting happiness, his assertion that Republican government is the best form because it is an "Empire of laws, not of men" quoting a statement by English philosopher John Harrington.
Adams then suggests that that the legislative body of the Republic "should be in miniature, an exact portrait of the people at large. It should think, feel, reason, and act like them. That it may be the interest of this Assembly to do strict justice at all times, it should be an equal representation, or in other words equal interest among the people should have equal interest in it. Great care should be taken to effect this, and to prevent unfair, partial, and corrupt elections."
Adams then proposes the concept of the separation of legislative, executive, and judicial powers of government, and states his reasons why he thinks that is the wisest course of action. He proposes having two legislative bodies with the ability to check one another, and proposes that the judiciary should should be able to check and balance the legislative and executive powers of the government. He says that the chief executive should, among other things, be the commander in chief. He proposes having annual elections and that judges should be appointed for life as long as they have "good behavior." He also says that the government should have the ability to change the mode by which people are elected if it turns out that the current mode isn't working well. He also says that the judges should be nominated and appointed by the executive with "the advice and consent" of the legislative branch of government.
Adams also asserts the importance of the "upright and skillful administration of justice" by a judiciary which is independent from the executive and legislative branches of government. He talks about the various branches of government checking and and balancing each other. He also talks about the importance of educating the youth and the poor.
It was really fascinating to read this letter and realize how many of Adams general ideas of good government later became adopted in the Constitution of the United States of America.
February 20, 2019
Ok this is not a book, but a pamphlet. Either way, it is the valuable mulling of a Founding Father on government, providing inspiration for the new America, as well as our current America. A few notable quotes -
"Fear is the foundation of most governments; but is so sordid and brutal a passion, and renders men, in whose breasts it predominates, so stupid, and miserable, that Americans will not be likely to approve of any political institution which is founded on it."
"A single assembly is apt to grow ambitious, and after a time will not hesitate to vote itself perpetual (...) These great men, in this respect, should be, once a year 'Like bubbles on the sea of matter borne, They rise, they break, and to that sea return.'"
"Laws for the liberal education of youth, especially of the lower class of people, are so extremely wise and useful, that to a humane and generous mind, no expense for this purpose would be thought extravagant."
"A constitution, founded on these principles (virtue), introduces knowledge among the People, and inspires them with a conscious dignity, becoming Freemen."
Online here: http://press-pubs.uchicago.edu/founde...
"Fear is the foundation of most governments; but is so sordid and brutal a passion, and renders men, in whose breasts it predominates, so stupid, and miserable, that Americans will not be likely to approve of any political institution which is founded on it."
"A single assembly is apt to grow ambitious, and after a time will not hesitate to vote itself perpetual (...) These great men, in this respect, should be, once a year 'Like bubbles on the sea of matter borne, They rise, they break, and to that sea return.'"
"Laws for the liberal education of youth, especially of the lower class of people, are so extremely wise and useful, that to a humane and generous mind, no expense for this purpose would be thought extravagant."
"A constitution, founded on these principles (virtue), introduces knowledge among the People, and inspires them with a conscious dignity, becoming Freemen."
Online here: http://press-pubs.uchicago.edu/founde...
December 6, 2018
Adams' essential wisdom distilled in his short letter published during the American Revolution. His strong argument for the necessity of a bicameral legislature and appropriate curtailment of executive excess have stood the test of time. His conception of the house or counselors or council as a type of privy council also in interesting, given the 1787 constitutional convention's decision to establish an actual supreme court.
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November 29, 2021There are a couple things that Adams wants you to know about having a successful government. First, education. Make sure that you educate everyone in your country. Make education free and accessible. Next, that one of the goals of government to lead to a happy citizenry. Listen to Adams, he was right about most of this stuff.
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August 30, 2021I'm really out here reading a pamphlet by John Adams
January 15, 2013
John Adams was a brilliant statesman. Next to Ben Franklin, he had the sharpest mind of early revolutionary generation. This a fantastic read that should take only an hour but will leave the reader illuminated on the best method of government.
Want to read
September 21, 2011I am reserving judgment until I have the chance to go back and dissect it at more length.
(Fancy way of saying I did not fully understand it due to a lack of pondering and slow study on my part)
(Fancy way of saying I did not fully understand it due to a lack of pondering and slow study on my part)
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November 13, 2017Why can't I rate without a written review?
Still pertinent. The thoughts that helped to form our government, but this review requires useless words for the sake of quantity.
Still pertinent. The thoughts that helped to form our government, but this review requires useless words for the sake of quantity.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews