Title:
John Quincy Adams Document Signed as Secretary of State Certifying Pennsylvania Publishers of the Laws of the First Session of the Fourteenth Congress (Including the Second Bank Charter), November 25, 1822 — PSA/DNA Certified Authentic Auto 85750930

Description:
Document Signed, “J. Q. Adams,” as Secretary of State of the United States, dated November 25, 1822, Washington, D.C. Official printed certificate bearing an engraved federal emblem at top, completed in manuscript and signed at conclusion.

The document reads in full:

“TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, Greeting:

I CERTIFY, That William Duane, John Binns and A. Kuntz were publishers of the laws of the United States of the first session of the fourteenth Congress for the state of Pennsylvania, which commenced on the fourth of December 1815, and ended on the thirtieth day of April 1816.

In testimony whereof, I, John Quincy Adams, Secretary of State of the United States, have hereunto subscribed my name, and caused the seal of the Department of State to be affixed.

Done at the city of Washington, this twenty fifth day of November A.D. 1822 and of the Independence of the United States of America the forty-seventh.

J. Q. Adams”

The paper displays expected age toning and scattered light staining consistent with early nineteenth-century federal documents. The signature is bold, clear, and well-positioned beneath the attestation clause. The document is fully encapsulated and certified by PSA/DNA as “Authentic Auto,” Certification No. 85750930.

Historical Context:
At the time of signing, John Quincy Adams (1767–1848) was serving as Secretary of State under President James Monroe, a post he held from 1817 to 1825. In addition to directing American foreign policy, the Department of State oversaw the authentication and certification of federal statutes and their authorized publication.

The First Session of the Fourteenth Congress (December 4, 1815 – April 30, 1816), referenced explicitly in this certificate, was one of the most significant legislative sessions of the Early Republic. Most notably, Congress approved on April 10, 1816, “An Act to incorporate the subscribers to the Bank of the United States” (Session I, Chapter 44), chartering the Second Bank of the United States. Signed into law by President James Madison, the Act established a twenty-year federal bank with $35 million in capital, required a $1.5 million bonus payment to the United States, and provided for federal judicial oversight through the Circuit Court of the District of Pennsylvania. The Bank’s headquarters were established in Philadelphia, reinforcing the city’s position as the nation’s financial center.

Because this Adams certification pertains to the authorized publishers of the laws of that entire session for the State of Pennsylvania, it encompasses the publication of the Second Bank charter and all other statutes enacted between December 1815 and April 1816, including major appropriations and administrative measures passed in the immediate aftermath of the War of 1812.

The named publishers—William Duane, John Binns, and A. Kuntz—were prominent Pennsylvania printers responsible for disseminating federal statutes within the state, ensuring the enforceability and public accessibility of congressional enactments. Their work was particularly significant in Philadelphia, then America’s leading publishing and financial hub.

Signed in 1822, three years before Adams’ election as the sixth President of the United States, this document captures him at the height of his distinguished service as Secretary of State and reflects the administrative mechanisms by which federal law was authenticated and distributed in the Early Republic.

Authentication & Encapsulation:
PSA/DNA Certified Authentic Auto. Certification No. 85750930. Encapsulated in a PSA holder with tamper-evident certification label identifying the signer as John Quincy Adams. The encapsulation preserves and protects the document while allowing full visibility of the printed text and signature.

• Additional Documentation & Provenance: At buyer’s request, Historical Autographs Gallery will include an additional “Historical Autographs Gallery Certificate” signed by our company founder Luke Pascal at no cost.

Closing Appeal:
A historically rich Early Republic government document signed by future President John Quincy Adams, directly tied to the publication of the laws of the Fourteenth Congress—including the landmark charter of the Second Bank of the United States—this PSA-certified piece bridges legislative history, financial history, and presidential collecting. Its strong signature, official format, and clear connection to one of the most consequential financial statutes in American history make it an exceptional acquisition for advanced collectors.

Shipping Notice:
For insurance purposes, items sold over $600 may require signature confirmation upon delivery. Higher-value items, likely over $1,500, are shipped via FedEx 2-Day with Direct Signature Confirmation. FedEx provides the most flexibility when requiring a signature, allowing you to make special delivery requests directly through their tracking system. This ensures both security and convenience for the buyer.