1John Cranch to John Adams, 11 February 1784 (Adams Papers)
As there is so little temptation, at present, to an englishman , to pay any attention to the wretched political informations of his country, you will have the goodness to pardon me, Sir, if, not knowing whether you have a public character at the Hague, I am so ignorant as not to know if I have misaddressed you: At the same time, I must confess, that no punctilio of ceremony will restrain me...
2To John Adams from John Cranch, 17 January 1784 (Adams Papers)
I have never found so much difficulty in prevailing upon myself to do any indifferent action, as in this of convincing myself that it is not too great a presumption to address a few lines to you, with the little present of game which will wait your acceptance about the same instant: In truth I could willingly have sent the gift, without at all disclosing the giver, could I, at the same time,...