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Subject Area: Political Theory
Topic: The American Revolution and Constitution

TO THOMAS JEFFERSON. - John Adams, The Works of John Adams, vol. 8 (Letters and State Papers 1782-1799) [1853]

Edition used:

The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: with a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations, by his Grandson Charles Francis Adams (Boston: Little, Brown and Co., 1856). 10 volumes. Vol. 8.

Part of: The Works of John Adams, 10 vols.

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TO THOMAS JEFFERSON.

Dear Sir,

Inclosed, you have, in confidence, some compliments. Give me in confidence your opinion of them. Is there any thing said by me, which I ought not to have said? Is there any expression exceptionable? Have I compromised myself or the public in any thing, more than ought to be?

The custom of making a speech is so settled, that not only the secretary of state and the master of ceremonies, but some of the foreign ministers took the pains to inform me it was indispensable. Otherwise, being sensible of the difficulty of being complaisant enough, without being too much, I intended to have delivered my credentials without saying more than that they were credentials to his Majesty from the United States.

Your friend,

John Adams.