Thomas Boylston Adams to Joseph Clay Jr., 18 March 1802
Thomas Boylston Adams to Joseph Clay Jr.
Philadelphia 18th: March 1802
Sir,
At the request of my father, Mr: John Adams. I take the liberty, through you, to present the volumes, herewith sent to the Philosophical Society of Philadelphia. It is believed, that the first volume of this work, has already been presented, by the Author, to the Society; if so, the sett will now be complete.1
I am, Sir, respectfully / Your most obed: hble Servt
Thomas B Adams.
RC (PPAmP:Record Group IIa); addressed: “Joseph Clay Junr: Esqr: / Secretary to the Philosophical Society / of Philadelphia”; internal address: “Joseph Clay Junr:”; endorsed: “Thos. B. Adams / Philad. 18 March 1[802]”; notation: “Donation of / 2d & 3 Vol. of / Defence of Amn. Consn. / by Jn Adams— / Thanks retuned.”
1. Joseph Clay Jr. (1769–1811), of Philadelphia, was one of the American Philosophical Society’s four secretaries. He held the position from 1800 until his election to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served from 4 March 1803 to 28 March 1808. TBA inscribed vols. 2 and 3 of JA’s “To the Philosophical Society of Philadelphia From the Author” and presented them on 20 March 1802; they remain in the society’s collection (Biog. Dir. Cong.; Philadelphia Directory, 1802, p. xxv, , No. 2893; George Irvin Oeste, John Randolph Clay: America’s First Career Diplomat, Phila., 1966, p. 16).