John Adams to John Stockdale, September 12, 1794

Quincy near Boston 12. Sept r: 1794.

M r: Stockdale

I embrace with pleasure the opportunity by my Sons of presenting you many thanks for your kind Letter 1 and obliging present, of an elegant sett of your new edition of the history of Republic’s

I know not whether experience of the evils, physical, moral & political of simple Governments, will recommend to the public my poor speculations in favor of mixed forms, so as to give you a profit by the sale of the Book; but I know the Devil ought to have mankind, if they do not soon put a stop to the progress of Cleon’s & Clodius’s, Rienzi’s & wat Tyler’s. 2

I have written since I came to America, Discourses on Davila; you may make another volume of them, if you will, under the same Title with the other three.

With compliments to your / Family, I am your / Friend & Ser t: