Papers of John Adams, volume 21
th:1792
I take an opportunity by part of my family bound to
London, to remind you of a person who is
taken once had an opportunity of knowing you personally, and to
express my sympathy with you under your sufferings in the cause of Liberty.
Inquisitions and Despotisms are not alone in persecuting Philosophers. The
people themselves we see, are capable of persecuting a Priestly, as an other
people formerly persecuted a Socrates. By a compliment which I held very
precious in your familiar letters to the Inhabitants of Birmingham,1 I am emboldened to hope that
you will not be displeased to receive an other Coppy of my Defence,
especially as that which was presented you formerly has probably had the
honor to share the fate of your Library. As there is not a sett to be sold
in London, at least, I am told so, I have desired Colo: Smith to take one from New-York, and present it to you with my
sincere veneration.
This Country is as happy I believe as it ever was, or will be. Ambition and avarice however, exist here as well as in England, and produce contests and dissentions, their usual fruit. The office of President, with its twenty five thousand Dollars, will glitter in the eyes of Americans, very nearly as much as that of King in England with his Millions. I am Sir with sincere sentiments / of esteem, and Respect, your most obedient
LbC in TBA’s hand (Adams Papers); internal
address: “The Revd: Dr Priestley / London.”; APM Reel 115.
JA referred to Priestley’s defense of
Unitarianism, as expressed in his Familiar
Letters, Addressed to the Inhabitants of Birmingham: In Refutation
of Several Charges, Advanced against the Dissenters and
Unitarians, London, 1790.