From John Adams to Corporation of the City of New London, 1 July 1800
New London July 1. 1800
Gentlemen
I receive with Sincere Satisfaction this Testimony of Esteem from the Corporation of this respectable City of New London.
The Part I took in our important and glorious Revolution was the Effect, of a Sense of Duty, of the natural Feelings of a Man for his native Country and the native Country of his ancestors for Several Generations, of all the principles moral, and political & religious in which I had been educated: and if it had been even more injurious <[. . .]> than it has been or ever So destructive to my private Affairs or ruinous to my family, I Should never repent it. <My Countrymen> I did but concur with my <Country> Fathers Friends Fellow Citizens and Country men, in their Sensations and Reflections, and <[. . .]> to lay no claim more than a common Share with them in the honour of the Result.
It would be devoutly and eternally to be deplored if this most glorious Atchievement <[. . .]> or the principal Characters engaged in it, Should ever fall into disgrace in the Eyes of Americans. In return for your kind Wishes, Gentlemen I wish you every Blessing
John Adams
MHi: Adams Papers.