Questions for John Adams' Letter
Attempt to answer the following questions, some are more difficult than others. Each answer should be accompanied by a source -- where did you find the information (book, article, web, database) with the appropriate citation info (author (if applicable), title, volume if needed, page, url, etc.). Each group should submit only one copy of the answers on Nov. 18.
Example:
Who is Mr. A likely to be? Why?
Mr. A is most likely Sam Adams (1722-1803), a second cousin to John Adams. Sam Adams was a revolutionary leader, signer of the Declaration of Independence and later Massachusetts governor. In 1778 he was a member of the Continental Congress.
Source:
American National Biography, volume 1, pages 121-126.
1. Why was John Adams in Passy in 1778?
On Nov. 28, 1777, Adams was appointed a member of the commission to France to replace Silas Deane and to join Franklin and Arthur Lee.
Source:
Bremer, ed., John Adams 1735-1826, pg. 6
2. Where is Passy?
Passy is a residential district in Paris on the Seine part of the 16th arrondissemnt.
Source:
Columbia Gazeeteer of the World, vol. 3, pg. 2377
3. What day of the week was Dec. 2, 1778?
Wednesday
Source:
Used a perpetual calendar in the New York Public Library Desk Reference, pg. 13.
4. Where was Abigail Adams in December 1778? (town and state)
At home in Braintree, Massachusetts
Source:
Notable American Women 1607-1950, vol. 1 pg. 6-9
5. Who is M. De Sartine?
Probably Antoine Raymond Jean Gualbert Gabriel de Sartine, comte D'Alby (1729-1801), a French minister of state in 1770s.
Source:
Nouvelle Biographie Generale, vol. 43, pg. 347
6. Who is Mr. Cranch? How is he related to the Adams?
Probably Richard Cranch, the brother-in-law of Abigail Adams and father of William Cranch. Member of the Massachusetts legislature and a judge.
Source:
Dictionary of American Biography, vol. 4, pg. 502 under the entry for his son, William.
7. Who is Mr. Gerry?
Probably Elbridge Gerry (1744-1814), born in Massachusetts and elected member of the Continental Congress in 1776.
Source:
American National Biography, vol. 8, pg. 866-868.
8 Who is Mr. Lovell?
Probably James Lovell (1737-1814), born in Boston and elected to the Continental Congress in 1776, corresponded with Abigail Adams.
Source:
American National Biography, vol. 14, pg. 11-12.
9. Who is Dr. Gordon?
Probably William Gordon (1728-1807), minister and author The History of the Rise, Progress, and Establishment of the United States of America...
Source:
Who was Who in the American Revolution, pg. 192.
10. Who is Dr. F. likely to be? Why?
Benjamin Franklin, Adams shared quarters with him in Passy in 1778.
Source:
Ferling, John Adams: A Life, pg. 199
11. Who is "my friend Warren"?
Probably James Warren (1726-1808), born in Plymouth and married to Mercy Otis Warren. In 1777 was appointed to the Continental Navy Board.
Source:
American National Biography vol. 22, pg. 721-723.
12. Which son is John Adams refering to?
John Quincy Adams accompanied his father to Paris to broaden his education.
Source:
Britannica Online and Ferling, John Adams: A Life, pg. 186
13. What was the date of the King's speech?
Nov. 27, 1778, a speech at the opening session of Parliament
Source:
English Short Title Catalogue, also in the UW Libraries Catalog. I searched "george iii and speech" then chose the one that seemed the most appropriate since it was made in late 1778 and discussed the war.
14. What role did Spain play in the Revolution?
Spain entered the war in 1779 on the American side.
Source:
Britannica Online
15. Who is Fabricius?
Fabricius Luscinus, (3rd c. BC), a Roman commander known for his incorruptability and austerity.
Source:
Britannica Online
16. Who is Aristides?
Artistides the Just (530 BC-468 BC)
Source:
New Century Classical Handbook pg. 126
17. Who is William III?
William III of Orange (1650-1702), acceded to the British thrown with May after the Glorious Revolution.
Source:
Historic World Leaders, vol. 3, pg. 1347-1351
18. Find a secondary source discussing Rousseau's impact on John Adams and provide the citation.
Palmer, R. R., "Jean-Jacques Rousseau et les Etats-Unis" Annales Historiques de la Révolution Française 1962 34(4): 529-540. [we have this 944.04AN in Periodicals]
Source (what database or printed resource did you use to find it):
America History and Life, searched "rousseau and john adams"
19. Who is Chesterfield?
Philip Dormer, the 4th Earl of Chesterfield (1694-1773), author of Letters to His Son.
Source:
Britannica Online
20. What is the earliest copy that the library owns of Chesterfield's most famous book? Give the title and date.
Multiple copies of the 1774 version on microfilm are available.
Source:
UW Libraries Catalog
Additional questions for those who need more of a challenge:
A. What is the first article of the Treaty of Alliance with France (1778)? (just the first 12 words will do)
If War should break out betwan france and Great Britain, during the continuance of the present War betwan the United States and England, his Majesty and the said united States, shall make it a common cause, and aid each other mutually with their good Offices, their Counsels, and their forces, according to the exigence of Conjunctures as becomes good & faithful Allies.
Source:
Commanger and Cantor, Documents of American History, vol. 1, pg. 105
Also online in Project Avalon www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/diplomacy/fr1788-2.htm
B. Where can I find a copy of the King's speech in this library?
On microfilm in Evans 16294, Evans 15836 -- these are microcard copies from the New Jersey Gazette, 2/10/1779 and General Advertiser & Morning Intelligencer 11/27/1778. A printed copy can be found in Cobbett's Parliamentary History, vol. 19, pg. 1277-1279.
Source:
English Short Title Catalog, the entries mention that the speech is to Parliament so I then went to see if we had the Parliamentary debates for the time period and found a printed copy of the speech.
C. What philosopher developed the notion of "virtuous friends"? And in what work?
Aristotle in the The Nicomachean Ethics, Book 8
Source:
Searched the web (www.google.com) looking for "virtuous friends" found student papers and a book review discussing Aristotle and the Nicomachean Ethics and then searched again for an online version of the work.
D. Did John Adams meet Voltaire?
Probably since he did attend the theatre on April 9, 1778 and sat "very near to Voltaire." Also was at the ceremony at the Academy of Sciences on April 29, 1778. Voltaire definitely knew Franklin (Franklin embraced Voltaire at the Academy and later spoke at Voltaire's funeral)
Source:
Diary and Autobiography of John Adams, vol. 4, pg. 77 and diary entry for 4/29/1778
E. What was Adam's address in Passy?
Hotel de Valentinois, Rue Rayouard
Source:
Morton, Americans in Paris, pg. 209, also mentioned in the the Diary and Autobiography of John Adams, vol. 2, pg. 217.