The Political Writings of John Adams: Representative SelectionsThe fundamental article of my political creed, declared John Adams, is that despotism, or unlimited sovereignty, or absolute power is the same in a majority of a popular assembly, an aristocratical council, an oligarchical junto, and a single emperor. Equally arbitrary, cruel, bloody, and in every respect diabolical. The consequences of this article for Adams' thought are nowhere better articulated than in this anthology, which presents his remarkable attempts at constructing a complete political system based on constitutional, balanced, representative government. |
Contents
Instructions of the Town of Braintree to Their | 22 |
The Plan | 83 |
The Model | 93 |
The Defense | 105 |
Three Letters to Roger Sherman on | 164 |
APPENDIX NOTES | 211 |
| 217 | |
Other editions - View all
The Political Writings of John Adams: Representative Selections John Adams,George A. Peek, Jr. No preview available - 2003 |
Common terms and phrases
absolute absolute monarchy act of parliament allegiance ambition America ancient annexed appointed aristocracy authority of parliament balance become body Boston Boston Gazette branches Britain British constitution British empire charter civil colonies common law commonwealth convention council court crown defend democracy democratical despotism distinct dominions duty elections English equal executive power feudal law form of government governor granted hereditary honor house of representatives human nature independent influence Jefferson John Adams judicial justice king of England knowledge lands legislature letters liberty lords majority mankind Massachusettensis Massachusetts means men's rights ment mixed government moral nation negative never nobles Novanglus officers oligarchy parlia party passions person political preserve principles province realm reason republic rich senate sense simple monarchy single assembly society sovereign sovereignty Stamp Act supreme authority Thomas Jefferson Thoughts on Government tion Turgot tyranny United usurping virtue votes Whigs whole writer