ADAMS John Quincy Oration on the Life and Character of Gilbert Motier de Lafayette.

Sabin, 295. 

First edition. A magnificent copy printed on large paper, no doubt for President Adams, in a fine contemporary American binding.

Lafayette was invited back to the United States by James Monroe in 1824 to celebrate the nation’s 50th anniversary. He accepted and travelled through all the states that were then part of the Union (24 in total) between July 1824 and September 1825, receiving a triumphant welcome wherever he went. By the time of his departure, Adams had become President and ordered a warship to escort the French hero home. The sixth President of the United States and professor of rhetoric at Harvard, John Quincy Adams (1767–1848), delivered this speech before Congress on 31 December 1834 to commemorate La Fayette’s significant contribution to American liberty. The famous marquis had died on 20 May of that same year, 1834. The text appended to the speech reproduces the deliberations initiated by Adams on 21 June 1834 “to examine and determine by what sign of respect and affection the United States Congress might express the nation’s deep emotion following the death of General La Fayette”. The resolution was adopted unanimously and the speech printed. A few copies were then bound in morocco leather for President Adams.

Lower corner of title torn away; few pages browned. 

Provenance: Robert S. Pirie with his bookplate.