From John Adams to Ezra Stiles, 4 November 1788
To Ezra Stiles
Braintree Novr: 4. 1788.
Sir.
Last night, I received the Letter you did me the Honour to write me, on the thirteenth of September, informing me of the Honour that has been done me by the University over which you so worthily preside.
If this honorary Degree, is as you inform me, to be considered as a token of Affection and Esteem, I shall certainly hold it among the most precious of Things; since nothing can ever be more pleasing to me, or more satisfactory to my highest ambition than the approbation of an University which has distinguished itself in Litterature among the foremost in America, and which is the Light of a Commonwealth that I esteem the purest Portion of mankind.1
With great Respect and Sincere / Esteem I have the Honour to be, / Sir your most obedient and / most humble Servant
John Adams
RC in JQA’s hand (MHi:Misc. Bound Coll.); addressed: “The Revd: Ezra Stiles D. D. / President of Yale College. / New Haven—”; internal address by JA: “The Reverend / Dr Stiles”; endorsed: “Recd Novr. 18. 1788.”; docketed: “D[. . . .]ms on his / Diploma 1788 for / Doctorate in Laws.” Dft (Adams Papers). Some loss of text due to an ink blot.
1. The remainder of the letter is in JA’s hand.