[Early Access]

From John Adams to Ward Nicholas Boylston

26 July 1819

dear Sir.

Quincy July 26th. 1819—

I thank you for your favor of the 16th.—It is impossible for me, as it was for Junius to recollect the innumerable trifles I have written.—Of those that were printed in the Olden Time of the Revolution, I believe I could give a list—but nothing I ever printed or wrote in my whole life is fit for the inspection of Posterity—all written in a hurry distracted with Care, dispirited by discouragements, never transcribed, never corrected, and not even ever revised—

The Discourses on Davila I consider as a fourth Volume of the Defence of the Constitution of the United States—and as it is out of Print, I shall be glad to see an Edition of it, under the Title of the Defence of the Constitutions & Volume fourth leaving out all the Prefaces and Advertisements of the Printers in the Copy you possess—but no printer or Bookseller would undertake the expence of publishing such an Edition—my writings are all too dull for sale—I inclose a Copy of a glaring example.— / and am your affectionate / friend and obliged Servant

John Adams

MHi: Boylston Family Papers.

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