A high-resolution version of this object is only available for registered users - register here.
High-resolution images are also available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription or click here for more information.
- GLC#
- GLC03864
- Type
- Letters
- Date
- 15 November 1775
- Author/Creator
- Adams, John, 1735-1826
- Title
- to Richard Henry Lee
- Place Written
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Pagination
- 3 p. : address : docket ; Height: 25 cm, Width: 20 cm
- Primary time period
- American Revolution, 1763-1783
- Sub-Era
- The War for Independence
Adams outlines the government that he envisions for America, that it should have executive, legislative and judicial branches, similar to the colonial government of Massachusetts. He also argues for a bicameral legislature and insists that judges not have overlapping offices in the other branches. Adams draws to an end with comments about human nature and tyranny. He concludes "if such a Trifle will be of any service to you or any gratification of Curiousity, here you have it...." On the evening of 14 November 1775, Lee, a delegate to the Continental Congress from Virginia, visited Adams at his Philadelphia residence. In the wake of Lexington and Concord, the two men discussed which form of government might be easily adopted by the colonies. Lee requested that Adams write down his plan and then circulated both manuscript and printed copies of the letter to convince colonists that independence would not be as difficult as they feared.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
- Copyright Notice
- The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.