Adams Papers
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From John Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 24 December 1799

Phyladelphia Decr 24. 1799

Dear Sir

I have recd your favour of the 13th and thank you for your Zeal for the honor of my “Defence”. That Work which was begun on the 4 of October 1786 and finished on the 26 of December 1787 was written in haste. It was not the fruit of twenty Years Labour like Montesquieus & Gibbons and as it was written in haste may be supposed to have marks enough of Inaccuracy. I am not yet sensible of any Thing in it, materially erroneous. The last volume was published in the Beginning of 1788 and in the Cou[r]se of the twelve years of its Existence it has been Attacked by the Violence and Virulence of Party Spirit. I have never written a Line in its Vindication. The more it is attacked the better. Let them fight it. Mr Gerry informed me that Thomas Paine told him at Paris that he was employed in preparing an Answer to it. The Answer advertised in America, may be his. If you reply, in what Language shall you write? and where will you find a Printer who will undertake to publish it?

Yours &c

John Adams

PHi: John Adams Papers.

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