1To John Adams from Patrick Henry, 16 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of the 26th ultimo did not reach me till two days ago. I have been confined for several weeks by a severe indisposition, and am still so sick as scarcely to be able to write this. My advanced age and increasing debility compel me to abandon every idea of serving my country, where the scene of operation is so far distant, and her interests call for incessant and long-continued...