Papers of John Adams, volume 21
The day after receiving your favour of the 4 Feby I wrote the enclosed answer.1 But as my mind has been so long
withdrawn from the occurrences in Congress and so wholly bent on a different
object, I was not in haste to send it until I refreshed my mind by looking
over the journals. After all the search I have made and the recollection I
am master of I see no reason to alter it.
I have now the pleasure to inform you that I have at length compleated the translation of What is commonly called the Old testament from the Septuagint version. Since withdrawing from publick affairs I have gone over it three times as if I was making a new translation availing myself of my former attempts only as helps. In the last which I have just finished, I have so far satisfied myself that I believe I shall here rest. It has been a work of labour but it has amply rewarded me by the satisfaction & pleasure it has given me.
I have gone over the New Testament twice in the same
manner but have not yet satisfied myself. Whether I shall live to compleat
it is uncertain. But I think it is high time that we had another translation
of that invaluable book—2
Mrs. Thomson3 joins me in best wishes for the
health and happiness both of you & Mrs.
Adams
I have the honour to be / Sr
/ Your obedt humble servt.
sThomson
RC (MHi:Kippis Papers).
See JA’s 4 Feb. letter to Jeremy Belknap, above. Thomson’s 9
March reply to JA was printed in the Boston Columbian Centinel, 13 May.
Thomson continued work on this project and published
it in Philadelphia in 1815. A presentation copy of A Synopsis of the Four Evangelists; or, A
Regular History of the Conception, Birth, Doctrine, Miracles, Death,
Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus Christ, in the Words of the
Evangelists is in JA’s library at MB (
Catalogue of JA’s Library
).
Hannah Harrison Thomson (ca. 1728–1807) was Thomson’s
second wife (Jay, Selected Papers
, 2:433).