Adams and Jefferson: Enemies, Comrades, Company in Death

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the second and third presidents of the United States,  were on opposite sides of several major political issues, many times resulting in heated debates.  So strong were John Adam’s feelings against Jefferson, that Adams left Washington to avoid being at Jefferson’s Inauguration.  Later in life, the two became the best of friends.  Correspondence between the two reveals not only their faith, but their friendship.

By remarkable coincidence, both men died on July 4, 1862, the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Each had been central in the drafting of the historic document; Jefferson had authored it, and Adams, who was known as the “colossus of the debate,” served on the drafting committee and had argued eloquently for the declaration’s passage.

Adams’ last words were, “Thank God, Jefferson lives!” unaware that his old friend and political adversary had died a few hours before.

Following the singing and adoption of the Declaration of Independence, Adams traveled to France as a diplomat, where he proved instrumental in winning French support for the Patriot cause, and Jefferson returned to Virginia, where he served as state governor during the dark days of the American Revolution. After the British defeat at the Battle of Yorktown in 1781, Adams was one of the negotiators of the Treaty of Paris that ended the war, and with Jefferson he returned to Europe to try to negotiate a U.S.-British trade treaty.

After the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, Adams was elected vice president to George Washington, and Jefferson was appointed secretary of state.  In 1796, Adams defeated Jefferson in the presidential election.  At that time the office of vice president was filled by the candidate who finished second, thus the two continued to work together leading the country. As president, Adams’ main concern was America’s deteriorating relationship with France, and war was only averted because of his considerable diplomatic talents.

In 1800, Jefferson’s Democratic-Republicans defeated the Federalist party of Adams, whereupon Adams retired to his estate in Quincy, Massachusetts.  As president, Jefferson reduced the power and expenditures of the central government but advocated the purchase of the Louisiana Territory from France, which more than doubled the size of the United States. During his second administration, Jefferson faced renewed conflict with Great Britain, but he left office before the War of 1812 began. Jefferson retired to his estate in Monticello, Virginia, but he often advised his presidential successors and helped establish the University of Virginia. Jefferson also corresponded with John Adams to discuss politics, and these famous letters are regarded as masterpieces of the American enlightenment.