The creation of volume 15 of the Adams Family Correspondence would not have been possible without the dedicated work of current and former staff of the Adams Papers editorial project, who over-came the significant disruptions of a global pandemic to deliver the volume. Former editorial assistant Tess Renault, and Mary K. Wigge, contributor to the John Quincy Adams Digital Diary, offered valuable assistance. Interns Douglas Girardot and Laura Richards also advanced our work. We are grateful to our copyeditor, Ann-Marie Imbornoni, who once again honed our text with a careful eye and gentle hand.

Editors, archivists, and librarians across the country provided critical support. We are indebted to Marianne Peak, Kelly Cobble, and the staff at Adams National Historical Park; Ashley Cataldo at the American Antiquarian Society; David Gary at the American Philosophical Society; Carolle R. Morini at the Boston Athenæum; Janine Whitcomb at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, Center for Lowell History; and Dawn Bonner at the Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington. Fellow documentary editors provided unwavering assistance, including Robb K. Haberman at the Selected Papers of John Jay; James P. McClure, Merry Ellen Scofield, and their colleagues at the Papers of Thomas Jefferson; and Jennifer E. Stertzer and the other editors at the Washington Papers. Cassandra Good of Marymount University generously shared her research into the Custis family. The reference staff and librarians at Harvard University’s Houghton, Lamont, and Widener libraries also offered important assistance.

Our thanks are again due to Kenneth and Kevin Krugh of Technologies ’N Typography in Merrimac, Massachusetts, who typeset our files with care and excellence. At Harvard University Press, we appreciate the dedicated support of Christine Thorsteinsson, xxxiv Managing Editor; Andrew Kinney, General Editor; Tim Jones, Director of Design and Production; Abigail Mumford, Associate Director of Production; Mihaela-Andreea Pacurar, Editorial Assistant; and Eric Mulder, Design Assistant, continuing our long and fruitful association.

The Adams Papers continues to enjoy the steadfast support of the Massachusetts Historical Society. We are especially grateful for the outstanding efforts of all staff for the assistance they provided during the pandemic. We thank especially President Catherine Allgor; Peter Drummey, Stephen T. Riley Librarian; Carol Knauff, Vice President of Communications & Marketing; Brenda M. Lawson, Vice President for Collections; Maureen Nguyen, Vice President of Development; Anne E. Bentley, Curator of Art & Artifacts; Elaine Heavey, Director of the Library; Nancy Heywood, Senior Archivist for Digital Initiatives; Ondine E. Le Blanc, Worthington C. Ford Editor of Publications; Kanisorn Wongsrichanalai, Director of Research; Laura Wulf, Photographic and Digital Imaging Specialist; Mary E. Yacovone, Senior Cataloger; Chris Coveney, Chief Technology & Media Officer; and all of the members of the Library-Reader Services department. Finally, the project appreciates the resolute support of the Society’s Adams Papers Committee.