John Quincy Adams Signed Presentation Copy of An Oration Addressed to the Citizens of the Town of Quincy

John Quincy Adams. AN ORATION ADDRESSED TO THE CITIZENS OF THE TOWN OF QUINCY, ON THE FOURTH OF JULY, 1831, THE FIFTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Boston: Richardson, Lord and Holbrook, 1831. First edition. Inscribed to Thomas Newton, Jr. (1768-1847), a United States Representative from Norfolk, Virginia, on the publisher's front wrapper: "Thomas Newton Esq / From his friend / J. Q. Adams." Oration and numerous blank pages at the end for note-taking later bound in half leather over marbled paper-covered boards, with edges stained yellow. 8vo; 40pp. Sabin 292.

9 1/4 x 5 3/4 in.

From a Private North Carolina Collection

With the bookplate of G. H. Newton of Norfolk, Virginia.

John Quincy Adams (1767-1848), a Massachusetts native, was the 6th president of the United States, and the son of the country's second president, John Adams. After his presidency, he served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Adams delivered several of these Fourth of July orations during his career. Thomas Newton, Jr. served in his post as a fellow U.S. Representative until 1833.

Adams's oration demonstrated his passion and patriotism: "The Declaration of Independence was the crown with which the people of United America, rising in gigantic stature as one man, encircled their brows, and there it remains; there, so long as this globe shall be inhabited by human beings, may it remain, a crown of imperishable glory!" (p. 20) "In the course of nature, the voice which now addresses you, must soon cease to be heard upon earth.... But, were the breath which now gives utterance to my feelings, the last vital air I should draw, my expiring words to you and your children should be, INDEPENDENCE AND UNION FOREVER!" (p. 39)

Boards with scuffing, browning, edge wear, and heavily rubbed corners; the spine with losses at ends and overall wear to black leather backstrip and sides due to previous tape reinforcement; joint cracking, yet still sturdy, with some areas with glue repair; interior with cracking at front hinge, ownership signature under bookplate with some associated ink transfer, foxing, occasional stains, minor offsetting, light creasing, and a couple of negligible holes in the first few leaves. A significant copy of this address.