A JOHN QUINCY ADAMS MANUSCRIPT POEM ON THE EVILS OF SLAVERY. ADAMS, JOHN QUINCY. 1767-1848. Au...

A JOHN QUINCY ADAMS MANUSCRIPT POEM ON THE EVILS OF SLAVERY. ADAMS, JOHN QUINCY. 1767-1848. Autograph manuscript, fair copy of Adams' poem, 'Fragments From an unfinished manuscript,' 4 pp, 4to (250 x 200 mm), on conjoining leaves, n.p., c.1846, leaves creased, mildly toned, with some light spotting and separation at folds. Provenance: Christies, Forbes Collection, New York, 27 March 2002, lot 50. 'WHILE THIS EARTH REVOLVES HER DAILY ROUND, NOT ON HER SURFACE SHALL ONE SLAVE BE FOUND.' 'Fragments from an Unfinished Manuscript' is a poem in the style of an Alexander Pope epistle condemning Adams' fellow United States congressmen for tolerating slavery in the United States. The work appeared in 1846 in the annual abolitionist gift book The Liberty Bell, published by Maria Weston Chapman. This fair copy of stanzas 1-6 and 16-18 was likely made in the final two years of Adams' life, as the handwriting is quite shaky. John Quincy Adams nursed a secret passion for writing poetry throughout his political career. After his defeat in the 1828 election, he retired from public life to write poetry, and in 1832 published his epic poem Dermot MacMorrough—ostensibly about the Irish hero but really an allegory of Jacksonian politics—before returning to politics as a congressman representing Plymouth. The poem opens with the phrase, 'An Epistle. To the Muse of History, perched on her Clock-wheeled Car over the door, fronting the Speaker's Chair, in the Hall of the House of Representatives of the United States,' inviting Clio, the Muse of History (part of the carved woodwork above the door of the House chamber) to witness the epic contest about to be fought in the halls of Congress: 'Muse! quit thy Car! come down upon the floor: And with thee bring that volume in thy hand: Rap with thy marble knuckles at the door, And take at a Reporter's desk thy stand Send round thy Album, and collect a tome Of autographic rulers of the land Invite each Solon to subscribe his name A self-recorded candidate for fame. 2 Come! Speak thy thoughts Historic Muse! and tell The truth of all that passes in thy sight Say! on whose lips Persuasion dares to dwell Point out the champions rampant for the fight Seest thou a Saga, wild tumults rage to quell, And ears all listening with intense delight. Behold them gathering at their country's call Show me the stars ascendant, great and small. 3 Come! Let us take inspection of the Hall— Two hundred men and twenty five are there Seats in concentric circles hold them all And fronting thee, the Speaker in his chair With Clarks before him oft the roll to call And [hold] the daily journal in their care. At his right hand the keeper of the door While beardless pages trip around the floor.' Adams takes notice of the prayers which open the day's work in Congress, but what does it mean if Congress will not do God's work (of abolishing slavery)? '5 Tis well to augurate the day with prayer; It speeds the victors of a Christian Land-- It teaches of foul Passions to beware-- It bids the heart with kindness to expand. Oh! 'tis a joy the Seraphim might share. Before their God to see a people grand. In humble penitence their sins confess And seek his face to pardon and to bless. 15 Alas! For virtue in the heart of man! Accursed traffic! + dost thou proffer still? Creations Lord! May feel the mortal fear The final purpose of thy holy will? Wilt thou not spread thy blessing on the plan The deed of man's redemption to fulfil That while this Earth revolves her daily round, Not on her surface shall one slave be found.' Adams adds a footnote [+] explaining that the accursed traffic is indeed the 'slave trade,' in case you missed it. The concluding stanzas beg Adams's fellow congressmen to avoid bitter sectionalism and put country and justice first. The subject of Adams' work is likely more than just slavery writ large, but specifically the 'gag rule' imposed by the Southern majority to prevent Congress from taking up any legislation relating to the restriction or abolition of slavery. Adams was appalled at the 'gag rule,' which he felt violated his constituents' first amendment rights, and fought vociferously against it, going so far as to read specific petitions into the Congressional record from the House floor. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing