Richard Price to John Adams, April 4, 1788

Hackney Ap: 4 th: 1788

My dear Friend

I have just received the favour of your letter, and feel an impatience to thank you for it. Your recommendation of M r Neckar’s book raises my expectations from it, and I will take the first opportunity to purchase it, and to endeavour to perswade Some of the booksellers to get it translated. 1

Will you be so good as to inform M r Bowdoin that he was balloted for last night at the Royal Society and chosen a member. There were 27 candidates on the foreign list whose recommendations had been hanging up all the winter in the room where the Royal Society holds its meetings; but near half of them were negatived. 2

I had Signed M r Bowdoin’s recommendation, and I am glad I have the pleasure of now reckoning him one of our number. Deliver my respectful complim ts to him. I fear this letter will not reach Portsmouth before you have Sailed, and therefore I will only add that my best wishes attend you and M rs Adams, and that I Shall always reflect with gratitude on the friendship with which you and her have honoured me. You are going to the new World. I remain in the old world. May Heaven unite us again in that world beyond the grave where all the virtuous are to meet. I am, Dear Sir, / affectionately yours

Rich d: Price

I have at last received from Dilly your 3 d Volume, and thank you heartily for it. I have begun reading your remarks on Nedham , and expect to be instructed by it. Your country is certainly much indebted to you for the Service you do them by this publication. 3