Adams, John Quincy, sixth President as Congressman

Autograph letter signed ("John Quincy Adams"), 2 pages (10 1/8 x 8 1/8 in.; 257  x 205 mm), Washington, D. C., 14 April 1837, to Robert G. Rankin, Secretary of the Executive Committee of the American Lyceum, declining an invitation to write a speech about education in the United States; washed and pressed with residual mottling, a few short tears. Tan linen portfolio, tan morocco spine, brown morocco lettering piece.

Adams declines an invitation by the American Lyceum to deliver a speech on education in the United States, explaining that his political office has wholly consumed his time. "The diffusion of knowledge and the improvement of the ancient systems and methods of popular instruction have for the last thirty years been pursued with  a zeal, earnestness and ability ... that I, whose general attention has during the same period constantly been absorbed by other subjects and interests, am altogether conscious of having fallen behind the progressive improvements. I am therefore far better suited to receive instructions concerning the whole subject ..."