From John Adams to Gulian C. Verplanck

6 February 1819

Dear Sir.

Quincy Feby. 6th: 1819.

Had I been able to write or read your should not have been a month without an answer to your obliging favour of Jany: 7th: It was only the last evening that I had an opportunity to court a young Lady of sixteen to read your discourse to me & to her I am obliged this morning to write this feeble expression of my gratitude.

I have no recollection that I ever heard or perused any American oration with so much pleasure. The design of doing honour & celebrating the praise of those great and excellent & illustrious characters who have contributed so much to the rise & progress of our American system would become the best heart and the execution of it would do honour to the best head in the United States. I have not observed a single sentiment or opinion that I can disapprove.

If I had my senses I should be glad to write a few commentaries illustrative of the truths which you have so ably stated. But I must forbear & conclude with assurances of the great and sincere esteem of / your obliged friend / & humble Servant

John Adams.

MHi: Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.

This early access document derives from raw transcriptions, prior to editing and publication in Rotunda's American History Collection. If this document is cited in formal research, it should be noted that it is not a final version, and that the URL you used to access it is not permanent.
Please report any errors or problems you notice in documents.