Adams Family Correspondence, volume 15
th:March 1802
At the request of my father, Mr: John
Adams. I take the liberty, through you, to present the volumes, herewith sent to the
Philosophical Society of Philadelphia. It is believed, that the first volume of this
work, has already been presented, by the Author, to the Society; if so, the sett will
now be complete.1
I am, Sir, respectfully / Your most obed: hble Servt
RC (PPAmP:Record Group IIa); addressed: “Joseph Clay Junr: Esqr: / Secretary to the Philosophical Society
/ of Philadelphia”; internal address: “Joseph Clay Junr:”;
endorsed: “Thos. B. Adams / Philad. 18 March 1[802]”;
notation: “Donation of / 2d & 3 Vol. of / Defence of
Amn. Consn. / by Jn Adams— /
Thanks retuned.”
Joseph Clay Jr. (1769–1811), of Philadelphia, was one of the
American Philosophical Society’s four secretaries. He held the position from 1800
until his election to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served from 4 March
1803 to 28 March 1808. TBA inscribed vols. 2 and 3 of JA’s
Defence of the
Const.
“To the Philosophical Society of Philadelphia From the Author”
and presented them on 20 March 1802; they remain in the society’s collection (
Biog. Dir.
Cong.
;
Philadelphia Directory
, 1802, p. xxv, Shaw-Shoemaker, No. 2893; George Irvin Oeste, John Randolph Clay: America’s First Career Diplomat,
Phila., 1966, p. 16).