The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States

Volume 4 of this 1850–6 compilation contains Novanglus (1775) and the opening of Defence of the Constitutions (1787).

John Adams (Author), Charles Francis Adams (Edited by)

9781108031608, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 19 May 2011

604 pages, 1 b/w illus.
21.6 x 3.4 x 14 cm, 0.76 kg

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.

Part I. Controversial Papers of the Revolution (Continued): 1. Novanglus, or a history of the dispute with America, from its origin, in 1754, to the present time
Part II. Works on Government: Editor's preface
2. The plan
3. The model
Part III. The Defense: Defense of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America against the Attack of M. Turgot, in his Letter to Dr. Price, 22 March, 1778. Vol. 1: Editor's preface
Preface
Preliminary observations
4. Of modern democratic republics
5. Aristocratic republics
6. Monarchical or regal republics
7. Opinions of philosophers
8. Writers on government
9. Opinions of historians
10. Ancient democratical republics
11. Ancient aristocratical republics
11. Ancient monarchical republics
12. Conclusion.

Subject Areas: History of the Americas [HBJK]