$29,375
Adams, John (1735-1826) Autograph letter signed, November 1, 1815, one page, to Reverend Stephen Peabody, with holgraph address lead and free frank, concerning religion and its' current state. Text in full: Dear Sir, I have given your letter to your Daughter and my lovely niece Miss Abigail Shaw; and "your best respects to my good lady" according to your request. All this is very well: but I cannot reconcile myself to the Word "dejected". The consolations of Religion and Phylosophy are all your own; and you ought to rejoice always in all Things. I hope you will not think it arrogance, Vanity, Affectation or Hypocrisy or presumption, yet I fear you will suspect it to be a mixture of all five, if I say that if I had not stedfastly believed in a Government of the Universe wise beyond my comprehension and benevolent beyond my conception: I should have been constantly not only in Dejection, but in despair, for at least fifty five years of my Life, on account of my public and private affairs. And never did I see a moment more ominous and portentous to the Human Race than the present. Never did I feel a stronger propensity to Dejection than the present. Despotism and Fanaticism returning upon Mankind like a flood or a hurricane; the Pope and The Devil regaining their Empire and all Men disposed to submit to it. You and I might avail ourselves of the miserable selfish comfort that our age exempts us from the danger, the disgrace misery and horror: but I presume we both reject su Read more…
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2002-10-26