The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-09-25
PROPOSALS BY LITTLE q BROWN
FOR PUBLISHING BY SUBSCRIPTIONS
HE LIFE AND WORKS OF JOHN ADAMS

FOR PUBLlSHlNG BY SUbsChlfllON
THE LIFE AND WORKS OF JOHN ADAMS,
Second President Of the United States.
EDITED BY HIS GRANDSON, CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS.
TIME public will be glad 10 learn that the publica-
il ton of the works Of JoHN ADAMS, so long de-
layed, will now be commenced so soon as an AIDE
quate subscription shall have been obtained. Ii Ii
intended To embrace In the proposed collection the
works of Mr.. Adams on Government, already pub
lished, but out of print, and selection from
most voluminous mass of manuscripts which have
never seen the light.
The collection is TO be made and edited by the
Hon. Charles Francis Adams, the depositary OF all
the manuscripts well of John Adams as of his
father the late John Quincy Adams and Is intended
as the hrst OF two great publications, eucldatlhg
the history OF the rise and progress OF these ohteu
States, from the year l76l in which the revolution
airy struggle first began, down 10 the year loto,
when the younger Adams died
The materials for the first OF the two works are
much more ample than has generally been sup
posed. John Adams during nearly all his life,
scrupulously preserved his papers, ana among
them are found many OF curious ana singuiariy
interesting character. Probably the most remark
able, at least in the eyes of the world Will prove 10
be a Diary, commenced by him early as 1855,
and carried for thirty years including the largest
portion of his public career. This Diary will be
found TO contain great amount OF valuable matter
connected with the early movements OF the RcYolu-
ton III Massachusetts, and To throw good deal OF
new light upon the proceedings OF thegreat Con
crosses Of l774 IT'S, and l776 at Philadelphia, in
winch the writer was a COlSplCuO actor. mere
also notes of the debates during portion of that
period, which, in the dearth OF all knowledge Of
them, will be highly valuable TO posterity.
Ii Is well known that an intention was long en-
tertained by the younger Mr.. Adams 10 write IA
memoir of his father. This, although not entirely
executed, was commenced. A most interesting
fragment remains in perfect state, and will be
prehxed TO the present publication. The unexe-
cuted portion will be carried by the editor aided
by the discovery of an photographed fragment
of John Adams himself which will be woven into
the body of his work.
The great difficulty will be in the abundance of
the materials To be gathered out of correspondence
carried on for half a century, well as out of I'M
published treatises of various kinds rather TO BRING
them all within reasonable limits for purchasers,
than to come short of what will interest the students
OF the national history.
Ii is proposed To issue the work in ten octave vol
umes. These will include the Essay on the Canon
and Feudal Laws, the Defence of the American
Constitution, the various editions of which have
been long since exhausted, and the Discourses on
Davila; to all of which illustrations, drawn from
the unpublished writings of Mr.. Adams, or sup
piled by the editor from other sources, will be
added.
from the private papers, as may be considered most
likely 10 promote a better acquaintance with the
times in which Mr.. Adams lived and acted than is
yet possessed, even after all the valuable contribu
tons which have already been furnished from
other quarters On the whole, the publishers con-
hdently believe that there is work relating TO
the revolutionary history of the United States and
indeed of the times in which Mr.. Adams lived that
surpasses in historical and political value the vol
umes offered 10 the patronage of the Ameri-
can people And they strongly hope that they
shall hnd themselves well sustained in this great
enterprise to be encouraged 10 GO and perfect
the other and latter part of it, the Life and Works
OF the no less distinguished son, John Quincy
Adams.
The works will be brought from time 10 time
commencing during the autumn of lS49, and com
pleted within reasonable period, consistently
with proper attention 10 the high character de
signed TO be given 10 them, and in the following
order:
!. Works upon Government.
Z. Political papers, including Controversial Pub
locations of the Revolution.
B. Messages and Public Papers.
l. Diary.
s. Private Letters Public Subjects, IVA to
1901.
g. Private Letters from 1856 To 1926.
T. Life, by John Quincy Adams, continued by
the editor.
8 Original unpublished Letters of Franklin,
Jay, Jefferson the Lees, Laurens, Gerry,
Dana, lizard, and other eminent patriots OF
the Revolution.
The work will be beautifully printed in ten vol
umes, in the octave form, each volume containing
from 500 70 GOO pages and put up in cloth, at the
price of 50 25 a volume.
A limited number Of copies will b. struck of OF
large paper, and put up IN the same style of bind
ing, price . volume.
Subscriptions and orders are respectfully solicit
ed by the proprietors.
LITTLE & BROWN,
Aug 29-3tawtf ll2 Washington ST., Boston.