I inclose you a letter from our friend D’Ivernois according to his request expressed in it. our geographical distance is insensible still to [foreigners] as they consider America of the [size] of a [garden] of which Massachusetts is one square & Virginia another. I know not what may have been your sentiments or measures respecting the transplantation of the science of Geneva to this country. if not more [successful] than mine, the mission of their commissaries [will make a bad] matter worse. in our state we are already too [wise to want instruction] either foreign or domestic, and the [worst] circumstance [is] that the more ignorant we become the less [value we] set on [science], & the less inclination we shall have to seek it.—. we have had a hard winter & backward spring. this injured [our wheat] so much that it cannot be made a good crop. by all the showers of heaven which are now falling down on us exactly as we want them. our first cutting of clover is not yet begun. strawberries [not] ripe till within this fortnight, and every thing backward in proportion. what with my farming & my nail manufactory I have my hands full. I am on horseback half the day, & counting & measuring nails the other half. I am trying potatoes on a large scale as a substitute for Indian corn for feeding animals. this is new in this country but in this culture we cannot rival you. Present my sincere respects to mrs Adams and accept assurances of the respect & attachment of Dear Sir / Your most obedt. / & most humble servt.