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 (title of the book, article, webpage) with the appropriate citation info (volume and page number; for webpage, url).  Each group should submit only one copy of the answers on Jan. 17.

 

Please do not ask for help at the reference desk.  You will find many answers included in the books on your list of encyclopedias and other reference books.  When identifying people, provide birth/death dates as well as information on what they were doing in 1778.

 

 


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?

           

 

            Source:

           

 

2.         Where is Passy?

           

 

            Source:

           

 

3.         What day of the week was Dec. 2, 1778?

           

 

            Source:

           

 


4.         Where was Abigail Adams in December 1778? (town and state)

           

 

            Source:

           

 

5.         Who is M. De Sartine?

           

 

            Source:

           

 

6.         Who is Mr. Cranch?  How is he related to the Adams?

           

 

            Source:

           

 

7.         Who is Mr. Gerry?

           

 

            Source:

           

 

8          Who is Mr. Lovell?

           

 

            Source:

           

 

9.         Who is Dr. Gordon?

           

 

            Source:

           

 

10.       Who is Dr. F. likely to be?  Why?

           

 

            Source:

           

 

11.        Who is "my friend Warren"?

           

 

            Source:

           

 

12.       Which son is John Adams refering to?

           

 

            Source:

           

 

 

13.       Who was the king of England in 1778?

           

 

            Source:

           

 

 

14.       What role did Spain play in the Revolution?

           

 

            Source:

           

 

15.       Who is Fabricius?

           

 

            Source:

           

 

 

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)

 

 

            Source:

           

 

B.         What was the date of the King’s speech?

           

 

            Source:

           

 

C.         Did John Adams meet Voltaire?

           

 

            Source:

           

 

D.         What was Adam's address in Passy?

           

 

            Source: