Lot #163

Samuel Adams Letter Signed on "Harvard College"

Description

Samuel Adams informs a Cambridge minister of an inquiry by the "joint Committee of the Overseers and Corporation of Harvard College"

LS signed "S. Adams," one page, 7.25 x 9.25, June 10, 1788. Letter to Dr. Samuel Williams in Cambridge, in part: "I am to acquaint you, that the joint Committee of the Overseers and Corporation of Harvard College at a meeting this day, adjourned to Saturday next at the County Court-house in this town, ten o'clock AM, to make further inquiry into the grounds of sundry reports circulated to your disadvantage." Professionally repaired and restored to near fine condition.

A graduate of Harvard College, Samuel Adams earned his bachelor's degree in 1740 and his master's in 1743; in his thesis, he argued that it was 'lawful to resist the Supreme Magistrate, if the Commonwealth cannot otherwise be preserved,' indicating his political view of colonial rights. Here he writes to minister Samuel Williams, who was the 3rd Hollis Chair of Mathematicks and Natural Philosophy at Harvard. Williams was forced out of Harvard in disgrace, accused of mishandling funds, spending too much money on his wife, and forgery; Adams evidently makes reference to these charges in the present letter.

Auction Info

• Auction Title: Fine Autograph and Artifacts Featuring Revolutionary War, The War of 1812, and Civil War
• Dates: June 21, 2024 - July 10, 2024

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