ADAMS, JOHN QUINCY | John Quincy Adams's copy of The Tennessee Weekly Chronicle, Vol. VI, No. 91. Clarksville, Tennessee: Printed by T. H. M'Keen, Monday, March 29, 1819

Property from the Eric C. Caren Collection

ADAMS, JOHN QUINCY

John Quincy Adams's copy of The Tennessee Weekly Chronicle, Vol. VI, No. 91. Clarksville, Tennessee: Printed by T. H. M'Keen, Monday, March 29, 1819

Large folio, 4 pages (20 1/8 x 13 in.; 512 x 330 mm) on a full sheet of laid paper, text in five columns; very lightly browned and spotted, leaves separated at central fold, disbound. The consignor has independently obtained a letter of authenticity from PSA that will accompany the lot.

John Quincy Adams's copy of an issue of an important regional newspaper from his tenure as Secretary of State, with his subscriber's name written at the top margin of the first page: "J. Q. Adams." This issue is of particular interest because it includes several proclamations and treaties countersigned by Adams. 

The Tennessee Weekly Chronicle was published in the home state of Adams's bitter political rival, Andrew Jackson, but at the time this issued was printed, the two were allies of a sort since Secretary Adams supported Jackson's unauthorized invasion of Florida during the First Seminole War. The aftereffects of that action are demonstrated in the several official U.S. documents printed here, including "A Proclamation [of] A Convention between His Catholic Majesty [of Spain] and the United States of America, for the indemnification of those who have sustained the losses, damages, or injuries, in consequence of the excesses of individuals of either nation, during the late war, contrary to the existing treaty, or the laws of nations." Also printed are the ratifications of four major Indian treaties: "a treaty between the United States of America, and the Wyandot, Seneca, Shawanees and Ottawa tribes of Indians" (4 January 1819); "a Treaty between the United States of America and the Peoria, Kaskaskis, Mitchigamia, Cahokta, and Tamarois tribes of the Illinois nation of Indians" (5 January 1819); "a Treaty of Friendship, Cession, and Limits between the United States of America and the Quepaw tribe or nation of Indians" (5 January 1819); and "a treaty of peace and friendship, between the United States of America and the Pawnee Marhar tribe of Indians" (5 January 1819). All five treaties are countersigned in type by Adams, and two of the Indian treaties are similarly signed by Indian commissioner William Clark, late of the Lewis and Clark expedition.