1From John Adams to Robert Treat Paine, 6 December 1759 (Adams Papers)
I was too much gratified with the Proposal you made me of writing to you, to neglect it long. For as Nature and Fortune have conspired to strip me of all other means of Pleasure I cannot think it either Vanity or Virtue to acknowledge, that the Acquisition and Communication of Knowledge, are the sole Entertainment of my Life. I should therefore be inattentive to my object, and stupidly forget...
2From John Adams to Robert Treat Paine, 9 April 1774 (Adams Papers)
How does the Impeachment set upon the stomachs at Middle borough? Cant you steal a Moment in an Evening or Morning to write me a Line, by Kent? I asked Putnam, at Charlestown this Week, whether the Chief Justice would sit at Worcester. He says he would not advise him to attempt it, and that he has given that Answer, to all who have asked him about it, since he came down, of all Parties. The...