William Shippen, Jr. to John Adams

Permit me to solicit your Attention & protection of my son Thomas Lee Shippen as far as it may be useful to & compatible with his plan of improvement at the Temple—of which No one can be a better judge than your Excellency—I intreat you Sir to confirm \& ripen/ by your sage advice those principles of Liberty & Indepen\den/ce which you & his Uncle Richard Henry Lee so long agoe planted in his young bosom. I sincerely wish you & yours every happiness & am / with great affection / & profound Esteem / Your Excellency s / most obedient servt.