Twenty-Six Letters, Upon Interesting Subjects, Respecting the Revolution of America. Written in Holland, in the Year 1780
Artifact IDTL 2026.1.45
Object Type
Temporary Loan
Date
1786
Author
John Adams
(1735 - 1826)
Place MadeLondon, England
Place associatedHolland
Medium
pamphlet
DimensionsOverall W 6 1/2 in x D 7 1/4 in (16.5 cm x 18.4 cm )
Physical DescriptionJohn Adams,
Twenty-Six Letters, Upon Interesting Subjects, Respecting the Revolution of America. Written in Holland, in the Year 1780
(London: n.p. [Printed for the Subscribers], 1786).
This open pamphlet displays the title page and prefatory "Advertisement" of a work written by John Adams during his 1780 diplomatic mission to the Netherlands. Written in response to inquiries from Dutch jurist Hendrik Calkoen, these letters detailed the military status and political resolve of the American colonies. This correspondence supported Adams's efforts to secure Dutch financial loans and formal diplomatic recognition.
Twenty-Six Letters, Upon Interesting Subjects, Respecting the Revolution of America. Written in Holland, in the Year 1780
(London: n.p. [Printed for the Subscribers], 1786).
This open pamphlet displays the title page and prefatory "Advertisement" of a work written by John Adams during his 1780 diplomatic mission to the Netherlands. Written in response to inquiries from Dutch jurist Hendrik Calkoen, these letters detailed the military status and political resolve of the American colonies. This correspondence supported Adams's efforts to secure Dutch financial loans and formal diplomatic recognition.
Historical NoteDuring a 1780 diplomatic mission to the Netherlands, John Adams met Hendrik Calkoen, a Dutch patriot sympathetic to the American Revolution. To overcome language barriers, Calkoen submitted 29 written questions about the American struggle, which Adams answered in a series of 26 letters between October 4 and 27. Adams carefully structured his replies to inform without causing offense, deliberately fostering a sense of republican brotherhood. He emphasized that both nations shared a foundational love of freedom and a mutual rejection of tyranny.
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