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Item Specifics

• President: John Quincy Adams (6th U.S. President)

• Original/Facsimile: Original Period Manuscript

• Date of Origin: Late 18th Century (ca. 1789–1800)

• Material: Watermarked Heavy Laid Paper

• Document Type: Handwritten Poetry / Commonplace Book Sheets

• Subject: Early American Satire, New England Belles, "A Vision" & "Harvest"

Item Description

Museum-Quality Presidential Ephemera: John Quincy Adams Early Poetry Manuscript

An extraordinary opportunity to acquire an original, period handwritten manuscript containing the early literary works of the 6th President of the United States, John Quincy Adams.

Written in an elegant, highly practiced late-18th-century copperplate script, these sheets feature Adams' famous 1789 satirical poem "A Vision" alongside his sweeping pastoral ode, "Harvest."

The Historical Scandal Behind "A Vision"

In 1789, while a young man studying law under Theophilus Parsons in Newburyport, Massachusetts, the future president found himself distracted by—and critical of—the town's reigning social belles. He penned this lengthy, sharp-witted poem using classical aliases (Statira, Vanessa, Nerea) to critique their vanity, gossiping, and obsession with reading "senseless novels."

Initially intended to be private, the manuscript was leaked, causing an absolute uproar among the elite families of New England. It remains one of the defining glimpses into the sharp intellect, wit, and "stern Puritan" critical faculties of the young statesman.

Textual Content Included on These Sheets:

• "A Vision" (The Cupid Dialogue): Features the iconic opening: "Fatigued with Labours, & with cares opprest, At once my mind and body sought for rest..." moving into the plea to Cupid: "O spare me Cupid, cruel God I cry'd; Behold around you Swarms of youthful Swains... 'Tis theirs from Love to gather perfect bliss, On Beauty's Lips to print the enraptured kiss."

• The Belles' Satires: Includes the scathing character breakdowns:

• Statira: "Fictitious Evils enervate the breast, Depress the Morals and corrupt the taste. Behold Statira's ancient beauties rise... Instead of wit which Nature has denied / The Grin of Envy, and the Sneer of Pride."

• Vanessa & Nerea: "Why will Nerea spend her youthful Days In wild Romances and insipid Plays? Where Idle tales in flimsy language told, Exhibit folly in a pleasing mould."

• "Harvest": A multi-page, beautiful Georgian-era pastoral poem tracking the cycle of early American agriculture from spring plowing to autumn reaping.

Paper, Watermark & Provenance Indicators

• Watermark: The paper features a stunning, crisp crowned shield watermark containing an Irish Harp, completely consistent with high-grade imported paper used by the American elite during the Federal period.

• Binding Evidence: Clear stitch-holes along the central folds prove these sheets were originally part of a contemporary 18th-century commonplace book, poetry journal, or family ledger.

Condition Report

• The sheets are in aged but highly stable condition, boasting a gorgeous golden-brown historic patina.

• Expected light foxing and minor edge wear.

• Period-typical stabilization/reinforcement using historic tape along the main fold lines is present (visible in photos).

• The text remains flawlessly legible with bold ink.

• Please study the high-resolution images provided to inspect the watermarks and condition details.