John Adams to Matthew Carey on the balance of power in American politics and the progress of European democracy - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital

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Field name	Value
Collection Reference Number	GLC01726
From Archive Folder	Documents Relating to 1821
Title	John Adams to Matthew Carey on the balance of power in American politics and the progress of European democracy
Date	24 May 1821
Author	Adams, John (1735-1826)
Recipient	Carey, Matthew
Document Type	Correspondence
Content Description	Adams complains that American government mixes too many legislative powers with the executive. Also discusses Europe's quest for Democracy "without Sufficient knowledge of the system of Organization necessary to form it and preserve it." The original signature was clipped and has been replaced.
Subjects	Government and Civics US Constitution Global History and Civics President Congress
People	Adams, John (1735-1826) Carey, Mathew (1760-1839)
Place written	Montezillo [i.e. Quincy]
Theme	Government & Politics; Foreign Affairs
Sub-collection	The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859
Copyright	The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module	Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859
Transcript	Show/hide Montezillo May 24 1821 [docketed in another hand: Recd May 28 and about time!] Mathew Carey Esq Dear Sir On the 22d of the month, I received the letter you did me the honour to write me, on the 16th-"The Sett of Papers the object of which is to prove that our present Policy is highly pernicious to the best Interests of the cultivators of the soil," is not yet arrived." It would not be difficult to prove, that the Policy of this Country is erroneous in Several particulars. We have an uncertain a fluctuating, a fallacious and iniquitous Standard of Value, or rather no fixed Standard at all. This is neither consistent with honour Equity or humanity. It destroys our Morals, and corrupts our Elections. I presume also to think that our Constitutions of Government are not yet so perfect as they should be. The Legislative Powers are too much blended with the Executive. Allas! All Europe is still groping in the dark! a violent Effervescence in favour of Representative Government, without sufficient knowledge of the system of organization necessary to form it and preserve it. J Adams

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