In his letter to Thomas Jefferson on July 15, 1814, John Adams responds to Jefferson’s reflections on history, governance, and religion. While agreeing that history is largely a record of folly and misrule, Adams expresses skepticism about the moral progress of humanity. He acknowledges human advancement but warns that corruption may keep pace with it. On religion, Adams disagrees with Jefferson’s belief that theological dogma will fade, arguing that human nature clings to spiritual interpretations. He reinforces the necessity of governance as a safeguard against power abuses. Their correspondence continues to contrast Jefferson’s idealism with Adams’s pragmatic realism, offering a compelling dialogue on the philosophical and political challenges of their time.
