Details
ADAMS, JOHN QUINCY, President. Autograph letter signed ("J.Q. Adams") to Joseph Blunt, Washington, D.C., 27 November 1832. 1 full page, 4to, 253 x 203 mm. (9.15/16 x 8 in.), integral blank tipped to a larger sheet. Fine.
"THERE ARE TWO WAYS OF SETTLING THE NULLIFICATION QUESTION...AND TO ONE OF THE TWO I TAKE IT FOR GRANTED THE ADMINISTRATION WILL RESORT"
The former President responds to a question concerning a British sailor, then considers the results of the recent Presidential election and the Nullification Crisis: "There was one example of a British subject, executed for Treason in the late War, for serving on board of an American Privateer. An Irish sailor...and had perhaps never been in the United States. The Privateer was taken, and the trial and execution of this man was attended with some ostentation. This is the only case of the kind within my recollection. I am glad to find that your fears of the result of the late Elections have so much subsided; and that you are inclined to look so philosophically at the future Prospects of the Country. Setting aside the interest taken in individual persons, there was perhaps not much at stake on the Presidential Election [Jackson versus Democrat Clay]. The real difficulties of this country are in another quarter, and depend upon other Elections than that of President. How General Jackson will cope with them I know not. How Mr. [Henry] Clay or Mr. Wirt could have coped with them I am equally unable to determine. There are two ways of settling the Nulliffication question; both very easy and to one of the two I take it for granted the Administration will resort. I wish it may be that which would settle the controversy once for all...Mr. Van Buren [Vice-President-elect] seems to have got the start of Mr. Calhoun [recently alienated from Jackson, resigned as Vice-President in December 1832], but the whirligig of Time brings about its revenges...."
At a state convention just prior to this letter, South Carolina, in protest over tariffs legislated by the Federal government, passed a resolution declaring the tariff acts null and void within its borders. Early in December, Jackson issued a proclamation denouncing nullification as treason and vowing that he would enforce the law, even if armed force was required. Before the contest escalated, the provisions of the tariff were modified in a Compromise Tariff and in March 1833, South Carolina rescinded the Nullification Ordinance.
"THERE ARE TWO WAYS OF SETTLING THE NULLIFICATION QUESTION...AND TO ONE OF THE TWO I TAKE IT FOR GRANTED THE ADMINISTRATION WILL RESORT"
The former President responds to a question concerning a British sailor, then considers the results of the recent Presidential election and the Nullification Crisis: "There was one example of a British subject, executed for Treason in the late War, for serving on board of an American Privateer. An Irish sailor...and had perhaps never been in the United States. The Privateer was taken, and the trial and execution of this man was attended with some ostentation. This is the only case of the kind within my recollection. I am glad to find that your fears of the result of the late Elections have so much subsided; and that you are inclined to look so philosophically at the future Prospects of the Country. Setting aside the interest taken in individual persons, there was perhaps not much at stake on the Presidential Election [Jackson versus Democrat Clay]. The real difficulties of this country are in another quarter, and depend upon other Elections than that of President. How General Jackson will cope with them I know not. How Mr. [Henry] Clay or Mr. Wirt could have coped with them I am equally unable to determine. There are two ways of settling the Nulliffication question; both very easy and to one of the two I take it for granted the Administration will resort. I wish it may be that which would settle the controversy once for all...Mr. Van Buren [Vice-President-elect] seems to have got the start of Mr. Calhoun [recently alienated from Jackson, resigned as Vice-President in December 1832], but the whirligig of Time brings about its revenges...."
At a state convention just prior to this letter, South Carolina, in protest over tariffs legislated by the Federal government, passed a resolution declaring the tariff acts null and void within its borders. Early in December, Jackson issued a proclamation denouncing nullification as treason and vowing that he would enforce the law, even if armed force was required. Before the contest escalated, the provisions of the tariff were modified in a Compromise Tariff and in March 1833, South Carolina rescinded the Nullification Ordinance.