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Henry Adams: History of the United States During the Administrations of Thomas Jefferson (1801–1809)

Edited by Earl Harbert

“A master of English prose … a history yet to be replaced.” — C. Vann Woodward, The New York Times Book Review

Overview
Table of Contents

Overview

One of the greatest histories ever written in English, Henry Adams’s History of the United States is remarkable for its fullness of detail, its penetrating insight, and above all its strong, lively, and ironic style. First published in nine volumes from 1889 to 1891, this classic work was out of print for several decades until The Library of America reissued it in two volumes: the first volume on the years of Thomas Jefferson’s presidency and the second devoted to those of James Madison.

With a cast of characters including Aaron Burr, Napoleon Bonaparte, Albert Gallatin, John Randolph, Toussaint L’Ouverture, and the complex, brilliantly delineated character of Thomas Jefferson, the first volume is unrivaled in its handling of diplomatic intrigue and political factionalism. Upon assuming office, Jefferson discovers that his optimistic laissez-faire principles—designed to prevent American government from becoming a militaristic European “tyranny”—clash with the realities of European war and American security. The party of small government presides over the Louisiana Purchase, the most extensive use of executive power the country has yet seen. Jefferson’s embargo—a high-minded effort at peaceable coercion—breeds corruption and smuggling, and the former defender of states’ rights is forced to use federal power to suppress them. The passion for peace and liberty pushes the country toward war.

In the center of these ironic reversals, played out in a Washington full of diplomatic intrigue, is the complex figure of Jefferson himself, part tragic visionary, part comic mock-hero. Like his contemporary Napoleon Bonaparte, he is swept into power by the rising tide of democratic nationalism; unlike Bonaparte, he tries to avert the consequences of the wolfish struggle for power among nation-states.

The grandson of one president and the great-grandson of another, Adams gained access to hitherto secret archives in Europe. The diplomatic documents that lace the history lend a novelistic intimacy to scenes such as Jefferson’s conscientious introduction of democratic table manners into stuffily aristocratic state dinner parties. Written in a strong, lively style pointed with Adams’s wit, the History chronicles the consolidation of American character, and poses questions about the future course of democracy.

Earl N. Harbert, volume editor, was professor of English at Northeastern University. He is the author of The Force So Much Closer Home: Henry Adams & the Adams Family and has written and edited other critical and bibliographic studies of Adams.

This Library of America series edition is printed on acid-free paper and features Smyth-sewn binding, a full cloth cover, and a ribbon marker.

This volume is available for adoption in the Guardian of American Letters Fund.
Table of Contents

FIRST ADMINISTRATION OF THOMAS JEFFERSON (1801–1805)
Volume One
1. Physical and Economical Conditions
2. Popular Characteristics
3. Intellect of New England
4. Intellect of the Middle States
5. Intellect of the Southern States
6. American Ideals
7. The Inauguration
8. Organization
9. The Annual Message
10. Legislation
11. The Judiciary Debate
12. Personalities
13. The Spanish Court
14. The Retrocession
15. Toussaint Louverture
16. Closure of the Mississippi
17. Monroe’s Mission.
Volume Two
1. Rupture of the Peace of Amiens
2. The Louisiana Treaty
3. Claim to West Florida
4. Constitutional Difficulties
5. The Louisiana Debate
6. Louisiana Legislation
7. Impeachments
8. Conspiracy
9. The Yazoo Claims
10. Trial of Justice Chase
11. Quarrel with Yrujo
12. Pinckney’s Diplomacy
13. Monroe and Talleyrand
14. Relations with England
15. Cordiality with England
16. Anthony Merry
17. Jefferson’s Enemies
18. England and Tripoli

SECOND ADMINISTRATION OF THOMAS JEFFERSON (1805–1809)
Volume One
1. Internal Improvement
2. Monroe’s Diplomacy
3. Cabinet Vacillations
4. Between France and England
5. The Florida Message
6. The Two-Million Act
7. John Randolph’s Schism
8. Madison’s Enemies
9. Domestic Affairs
10. Burr’s Schemes
11. Burr’s Preparations
12. Escape Past Fort Massac
13. Claiborne and Wilkinson
14. Collapse of the Conspiracy
15. Session of 1806–7
16. The Berlin Decree
17. Monroe’s Treaty
18. Rejection of Monroe’s Treaty
19. Burr’s Trial.
Volume Two
1. The “Chesapeake” and “Leopard”
2. Demands and Disavowals
3. Perceval and Canning
4. The Orders in Council
5. No More Neutrals
6. Insults and Popularity
7. The Embargo
8. The Mmission of George Rose
9. Measures of Defence
10. The Rise of a British Party
11. The Enforcement of Embargo
12. The cost of Embargo
13. The Dos de Maio
14. England’s Reply to the embargo
15. Failure of Embargo
16. Perplexity and Confusion
17. Diplomacy and Conspiracy
18. General Factiousness
19. Repeal of Embargo
20. Jefferson’s Retirement

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ISBN: 978-0-94045034-9 1308 pages

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N° 31 Library of America Series

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