John Thaxter to John Adams, January 23, 1781

Leyden Jany. 23d 1781

Sir

I had the Honour of your Note and the inclosed Extracts yesterday Morning; I waited on Mr.
Luzac immediately with the Paper and shewed him the Extracts, with which he was highly
gratified. 1 He sent them so late last Evening
that I had only time to inclose them to You. The News cannot but be agreable to every one who
loves his Country, and feels interested in every Event that affects it: but the Quantity of it
is too great to claim an immediate Credit. Altho’ the whole and much more may be within the
Compass of one’s Wishes, and however fashionable it may be to shape one’s language to his
Wishes, yet after the confident Reports from that quarter of the Continent in the Summer of
1779, and their palpable falsity, one will be moderate in wishing; and modest in speaking,
’till there is an ample Confirmation.

Master John and I attend Professor Pestel’s Lectures sur les fondemens de Jurisprudence
naturelle. They are very ingenious and learned. His Lectures upon Grotius We do not attend—he
has not time. I have thought it most adviseable for him to attend the former of the two. I
wish however for your direction. He and his Brother are extremely diligent, and I presume
their progress will be satisfactory to You.

The Rector Magnificus has consented to matriculate Master Charles. If it is agreable to You,
I will wait upon him for that purpose. 2

I have the honor to inclose You Mr. Pestel’s Latin Edition, and Homer’s Hymn to Ceres, and
to be with perfect Respect, Sir, your most humble Servt.,

J. Thaxter