Adams, John Quincy

1 page (9 7/8 x 8 in.; 252 x 202 mm) on a bifolium of wove paper, Washington, 20 November 1824, to William D. Lewis of Philadelphia; one small stain. Accompanied by an autograph note signed in the text ("J. Q. Adams"), on a slip of paper (4 1/4 x 4 3/4 in.; 109 x 123 mm), [Washington], 24 November [1847], regretting to Messrs. Willard that he cannot attend "the organizing dinner of the City Hotel" due to his poor health.

A lawsuit originating in St. Petersburg and concluded in Philadelphia. From 1809 to 1814, Adams was the United States Minister to Russia, where he met the Philadelphia merchants John and William D. Lewis. Adams was succeeded in his post by Levett Harris, who appointed his nephew, John Levett Harris, to his former post as consul. Both Harrises exploited their positions for commercial gain, and when William Lewis loudly complained about their corruption, the elder Harris sued him for slander. The suit dragged on for seven years, and Adams was eventually called to testify.

"I regret that the attention indispensably due to public business, will detain me here, so that I shall certainly not be able to leave the City before the Meeting of Congress; and probably not during their Session. I said as much to Mr. Joseph Ingersoll, when I had the pleasure of seeing him at Philadelphia, though it would be more agreeable to me, to give my testimony, upon the trial of your cause, in person than by Deposition. Mr. Ingersoll will judge whether it will be necessary or advisable to take a further, explanatory deposition from me. And I pray you to remind him of my desire that he would obtain an order from the Court, after the trials for the return to me of all the original papers, annexed to my deposition." In closing, Adams thanks Lewis for his remembrance of Mrs. Adams but has to report that she "is quite infirm." The verdict went against Lewis, but he was only fined $100 and considered the suit successful.

The "public business" that kept Adams in Washington was the inconclusive 1824 presidential election, which was sent to the House of Representatives to decide because none of the four candidates received a majority of the electoral votes. After Henry Clay threw his support to Adams, the House elected Adams to the presidency, but not until 9 February 1825.