1From John Adams to William Bainbridge, 17 July 1816 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your kind and obliging Invitation to me and my famility to visit the Independence. I can Scarcely imagine any thing that would give Us more pleasure, if We could bear it. But an Octogenarian Gentleman and a Septuaginarian Lady, cannot be too cautious of engaging in bold, daring and hazardous Enterprises, without an Object of public good. If Commodore Bainbridge and his Lady can...