1From John Adams to Matthew Ridley, 29 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
Last Night I received your Letter of the 20th. Your Reserve upon the Subject of the Maryland Loan needed no Apology. I was Soon informed of your Engagements with Messrs. Van Staphorsts, and Some Persons may possibly think I ought to have opposed them. But I am not myself of that opinion. I think that on one hand a Minister of the United States is not obliged to do any Thing to promote a Loan...
2From John Adams to Matthew Ridley, 29 September 1782 (Adams Papers)
It would give me great Pleasure to See, and converse freely with the Gentn you mention upon Men and Things. I have long known him a Man of Honour and Abilities. He and I have often differed in opinion, and each of us has Supported his opinion with Ardour: this We may do again without abating a mutual Esteem or Affection, as long as a Perswasion remains of Candour, Integrity and Sincerity, as...