John Adams to Peter Thacher, February 25, 1791

Philadelphia Feb ry: 25 th: 1791.

Dear sir,

I received by the last Post, and have read with great pleasure your
obliging letter; 1 and the Sermon which
accompanied it on the death of His Excellency Governor Bowdoin, for whose person I had
an affection, and for whose character I had in common with all men, a sincere esteem; I
say in common, because I really know of no Party or individual, that had not such an
Esteem for him. The Sermon, which as it avoids on the one hand all fullsome flattery,
and extravagant Panegyrick, and on the other is not deficient in the just praise which
it becomes a Man, a Christian, and a Divine to give, is full of excellent moral and
religious sentiments, expressed in elegant language. The recollection of your Father
excited much tenderness of sentiment. He was a friend in my youth, who of all my friends
at the Bar, entertained sentiments the most like my own.

As we advance in life Friends with whom we have cooperated, and
Enemies with whom we have contended fall around us. For my own part mine have fallen in
such numbers, both in Europe, and America, within a few years, that I begin to feel
almost alone in the World; At my age, new Friends are not easy to procure, and indeed
new Enemies if we have any such, appear of much less consequence. An Old man really
seems to me sometimes, to have more regard even for his old ennemies, than his new
friends. My generation is going fast off the stage, and another rushing on, and with its
opinions, Moral, Metaphisical, Political and Civil, which I comprehend not. There are in
Europe appearances, which indicate such changes, that it is not extravagant to say, that
there may be countries in another Century intollerant not only of Chistianity but of
Theism; Martyrdom at the Stake for professing the Belief of a God, and a future State,
seems beyond credibility but it would be but a natural consequence of opinions and
systems now propagating with the Zeal of Proseliteism. For your benevolent Prayers
accept of my sincere thanks.

I am with great esteem Dear sir your Obedient ser t.

John Adams.