Thomas Pownall to John Adams, December 18, 1786

Dec r 18 / 86

Dear Sir.

I have often wished, since I came here into the Country, to fancy I could find a time when I might suppose you at leisure & Liberty having a few daies that you might pass in the Country. Christmass is a kind of Saturnalia when, for a week or ten daies, nothing but eating drinking & gambolling about is done in London I wish to seize this interval to claim a kind of promise You made me to come & pass a few daies with me & M rs Pownall in our Country Retirement. & I will venture To ask the favor of You & M rs Adams & Miss to do us The honor of coming this Christmass to us at Everton. 1 We are but 49 miles from London, & about seven hours post— You can come between an early breakfast & dinner. In return for the pleasure You will do us We will endeavour to make the Christmass as pleasant To You as our house & neighbourhood will afford—

The Earl of Scarb’rough, nephew to the late S r George Saville, 2 has been here with me & leaves me today: & hearing me say I wished his frank to You, desires Me to give him My Letter, that by carrying it to You himself he might, without the Ceremony of a formal presentation, take an occassion of makng himself known to you—& of knowing You.

I will hope a favorable Answer & am D r Sir / Y r most Obed t / & most humble / Ser t

T Pownall

My address is Gov r Pownall Everton House near Biggleswade