Creating the United States

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Adams Accuses Opponents of Seeking Constitutional Changes

Adams Accuses Opponents of Seeking Constitutional Changes (101.03.00)

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In the aftermath of his defeat in the 1800 presidential campaign, in this letter to his youngest son Thomas Boylston Adams (1772–1832), John Adams accused some of his opponents of being “old Tories” or “British Agents” and others of conspiring to foment a war with France to secure changes in the federal Constitution. The only constitutional change that resulted from the election of 1800 was the twelfth amendment requiring separate electoral votes for president and vice president.

(Transcription)

“Is this principle or Passion? Reason or Madness? . . .”


In the aftermath of his defeat in the 1800 presidential campaign, in this letter to his youngest son Thomas Boylston Adams (1772–1832), John Adams accused some of his opponents of being “old Tories” or “British Agents” and others of conspiring to foment a war with France to secure changes in the federal Constitution. The only constitutional change that resulted from the election of 1800 was the twelfth amendment requiring separate electoral votes for president and vice president.