Novanglus, and Massachusettensis; or Political Essays, Published in the Years 1774 and 1775, on the Principal Points of Controversy, between Great Britain and Her Colonies
Artifact IDTL 2026.1.43
Object Type
Document
Date
1819
Author
John Adams
(1735 - 1826)
Author
Daniel Leonard
(American, 1740 - 1829)
Place MadeBoston, Massachusetts, United States of America
Medium
Octavo book
DimensionsOverall W 10 1/2 in x D 9 1/2 in (26.7 cm x 24.1 cm )
Physical DescriptionJohn Adams and Daniel Leonard [misidentified as Jonathan Sewall],
Novanglus, and Massachusettensis; or Political Essays, Published in the Years 1774 and 1775, on the Principal Points of Controversy, between Great Britain and Her Colonies
(Boston: Hews and Goss,
This 1819 volume compiles influential pre-revolutionary political essays written between 1774 and 1775. It features the "Novanglus" essays by John Adams. These pieces rejected British parliamentary authority over the American colonies. The book pairs them with opposing Loyalist arguments signed "Massachusettensis." The title page mistakenly attributes these Loyalist essays to Jonathan Sewall. They were actually written by Tory lawyer Daniel Leonard. This post-war publication preserves critical primary debates regarding imperial governance and colonial sovereignty.
Novanglus, and Massachusettensis; or Political Essays, Published in the Years 1774 and 1775, on the Principal Points of Controversy, between Great Britain and Her Colonies
(Boston: Hews and Goss,
This 1819 volume compiles influential pre-revolutionary political essays written between 1774 and 1775. It features the "Novanglus" essays by John Adams. These pieces rejected British parliamentary authority over the American colonies. The book pairs them with opposing Loyalist arguments signed "Massachusettensis." The title page mistakenly attributes these Loyalist essays to Jonathan Sewall. They were actually written by Tory lawyer Daniel Leonard. This post-war publication preserves critical primary debates regarding imperial governance and colonial sovereignty.
Historical NoteThis 1819 volume compiles pre-revolutionary political essays written between 1774 and 1775. Writing under the pseudonym "Novanglus," John Adams refuted Loyalist arguments by Daniel Leonard regarding absolute British parliamentary authority over the colonies. Adams utilized English and colonial legal history to argue that Parliament's jurisdiction was legally limited, establishing a constitutional defense for colonial autonomy.
Additional DetailsCredit LineCourtesy of the David M. Rubenstein Americana Collection
National Archives Catalog CollectionJohn F. Kennedy Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 1676934)
National Archives Catalog SeriesPolitical Memorabilia (National Archives Identifier 1677287)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - FullyUse Restriction NoteThe use of this image and document information is fully restricted. Reproduction in any manner is not allowed.Not on view