State of the Union Addresses

The 1800 State of the Union Address was given by John Adams, the second president of the United States. It was the first State of the Union Address delivered at the new United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. John Adams (1735-1826) was an American statesman, attorney, diplomat, writer, and Founding Father. Before his presidency, he was a leader of the American Revolution that achieved independence from Great Britain, and during the war, served as a diplomat in Europe. He was twice elected vice president of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797 in a prestigious role with little power. Adams was a dedicated diarist and regularly corresponded with many important contemporaries, including his wife and adviser Abigail Adams as well as his friend and rival Thomas Jefferson. Excerpt: "Although there is some cause to apprehend that accommodations are not now so complete as might be wished, yet there is great reason to believe that this inconvenience will cease with the present session."