Page 1, John Quincy Adams speech on Independence Day, 4 July 1821

John Quincy Adams gave this speech on July 4, 1821, in Washington, D.C., to commemorate the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. On this first page Adams begins with a brief history of Great Britain prior to the American Revolution, noting that "this Nation, had for a period of seven hundred years, from the days of the Conquest till our own, exhibited a conflict almost continual, between the oppressions of Power, and the Claims of Right."