John Adams to James Gunn, October 31, 1798

Quincy October 31. 1798

Gentlemen

Your Address of the 4th of September, has been transmitted to me, as you directed by your Committee, through a senator in Congress from Georgia, General James Gunn. Opinions So correct and feelings so honorable, as yours can never fail to add to my Satisfaction and encouragement, from whatever Part of the Union or portion of < , Start deletion, my fellow Citizens , End, > the People they may come: but especially when they are sent from < , Start deletion, the remotest , End, > Districts so remote and < , Start deletion, People so respect , End, > fellow Citizens so respectable. Independence is more prescious < , Start deletion, & important , End, > than Peace with any Government. But Independence of People who seem incapable at present of Speaking of Us without an Insult, or taking any measure concerning Us without an infamous Insinuation, is more important than ever.

John Adams