Quincy, July 31, 1818.
Sir:—Accept my best thanks for your polite and obliging favor of the 24th, and especially for the discourse inclosed. I know not when I have read a more liberal or more elegant composition.
You have not extended your ideas of the right of private judgment and the liberty of conscience, both in religion and philosophy, farther than I do. Mine are limited only by morals and propriety.
I have had occasion to be acquainted with several gentlemen of your nation, and to transact business with some of them, whom I found to be men of as liberal minds, as much honor, probity, generosity and good breeding, as any I have known in any sect of religion or philosophy.
I wish your nation may be admitted to all privileges of citizens in every country of the world. This country has done much. I wish it may do more, and annul every narrow idea in religion, government, and commerce. Let the wits joke; the philosopher sneer! What then? It has pleased the Provident of the 'first cause,' the universal cause, that Abraham should give religion, not only to Hebrews, but to Christians and Mahometans, the greatest part of the modern civilized world.
(Signed)
John Adams.
FOOTNOTE:
[22] Travels in England, France, Spain and the Barbary States in the years 1813-14 and 15. By Mordecai M. Noah; New York and London, 1819. Appendix, pp. xxv and xxvi.