Digital Collections

The digital collections of the Library of Congress contain a wide variety of primary source materials associated with John Adams, including manuscripts, government documents, printed ephemera, newspaper articles, and books. Provided below is a link to the home page for each relevant digital collection along with selected highlights.

Alexander Hamilton Papers

Alexander Hamilton Papers
The papers of Alexander Hamilton (ca. 1757-1804), first treasury secretary of the United States, consist of his personal and public correspondence, drafts of his writings, and correspondence among members of the Hamilton and Schuyler families.

Selected highlights from this collection:

Congressional Publications

A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
This collection contains a large selection of congressional material related to John Adams's political career as a delegate to the Continental Congress, a diplomat, vice president, and president. Search this collection by date and publication to find materials related to Adams.

Publications with Adams-related materials:

Journals of the Continental Congress
The Journals of the Continental Congress documents Adams's service as a delegate to the Continental Congress during the years 1774-77.
https://www.loc.gov/item/76002592/
The Letters of Delegates to Congress, 1774-1789 includes more than 1,000 letters to, from, or referring to John Adams.
The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States
The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States contains more than 600 letters to, from, or referring to Adams.
Annals of Congress
The Annals of Congress contains congressional debate and presidential messages from Adams's presidency (1797-1801), including his message to Congress on the XYZ Affair on May 16, 1797.
American State Papers
The American State Papers contains the legislative and executive documents of Congress during the period 1789 to 1838, covering the time that Adams served as vice president (1789-97) and president.
United States Statutes at Large
The United States Statutes at Large contains the full text of all the laws enacted and treaties ratified during Adams's presidency, including the act creating the Library of Congress and the Convention of 1800 with France.

Documents from the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention, 1774 to 1789

Documents from the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention, 1774 to 1789
This collection contains documents relating to the work of the Continental Congress and the drafting and ratification of the Constitution. Search this collection to view broadsides related to John Adams's diplomatic career, including a broadside of the preliminary articles of peace ending the Revolutionary War.

George Washington Papers

George Washington Papers
The George Washington Papers contain 60 items to, from, or referring to John Adams (some references are in the editorial notes that accompany the transcripts). To find them, go to the collection’s search page and search on the exact phrase "John Adams".

Selected highlights from this collection:

John Adams to George Washington, April 1, 1776
A letter from Adams to Washington on April 1, 1776, offering congratulations on the evacuation of British troops from Boston. [Transcription]
John Adams to George Washington, July 4, 1798, Commission as Commander of Armed Forces

Historic Newspapers

Chronicling America
Historic American newspapers selected and contributed by state partners in the National Digital Newspaper Program. Search the collection to find newspaper articles about John Adams.

Selected highlights from this collection:

The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser. (Wilmington, Del.), 13 July 1826.
Articles announcing the death of John Adams.
The national intelligencer and Washington advertiser. (Washington City [D.C.]), 05 Nov. 1800.
An abstract of Mr. Hamilton's pamphlet (Letter Concerning the Public Conduct and Character of John Adams).

James Madison Papers

James Madison Papers, 1723 to 1859
The Madison Papers consist of approximately 12,000 items, spanning the period 1723-1859, including several items to or referring to John Adams.

James Monroe Papers

James Monroe Papers
The James Monroe Papers at the Manuscript Division of the Library of Congress consist of approximately 5,200 items dating from 1758 to 1839. Consult the guide to using the James Monroe Papers in order to locate letters to and from John Adams.

Printed Ephemera

Printed Ephemera: Three Centuries of Broadsides and Other Printed Ephemera
The Printed Ephemera collection comprises 28,000 primary-source items dating from the seventeenth century to the present and encompasses key events and eras in American history. Search this collection to find items related to John Adams.

Thomas Jefferson Papers

Thomas Jefferson Papers, 1606 to 1827
The Thomas Jefferson Papers contain 350 items to, from, or referring to John Adams. To find them, go to the collection’s search page and search on the exact phrase "John Adams".

Selected highlights from this collection:

Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, December 28, 1796
A letter written by Jefferson to Adams congratulating Adams on being elected president. On James Madison's advice, the letter was never sent.
John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, January 1, 1812
After not corresponding for eleven years, Adams wrote to Jefferson on January 1, 1812, the first of many letters that would be exchanged until their deaths on July 4, 1826.
John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, April 17, 1826
The last letter written by Adams to Jefferson.

John Adams: A Resource Guide

History, Humanities & Social Sciences: Ask a Librarian

Digital Collections

Alexander Hamilton Papers

Selected highlights from this collection:

Congressional Publications

Publications with Adams-related materials:

Documents from the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention, 1774 to 1789

George Washington Papers

Selected highlights from this collection:

Historic Newspapers

Selected highlights from this collection:

James Madison Papers

James Monroe Papers

Printed Ephemera

Thomas Jefferson Papers

Selected highlights from this collection: