1From John Adams to Louis Hue Girardin, 8 October 1815 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of September the 30th. was received last night. Your frank avowal of your birth in France is no diminution of your respectability in my Estimation: for of the two most conspicuous Nations of Europe I know not to which, I ought to give Preference in Science litterature and taste, but in point of Civilization and politeness I have no hesitation in preferring the French to the...