Papers of John Adams, volume 21
I beg Leave to communicate, through your kind mediation, to the Members of the American Accademy of Arts and Sciences, my most affectionate and respectful Thanks for the Honour they have done 282 me, by repeated Elections to their Chair. If I have ever entertained a hope that I might at some time or other have been of some Use to that respectable Society, the State of Publick affairs has hitherto wholly prevented me; and the present and future Prospects render it wholly impossible for me to give the Smallest Attention to the Interest or Honour of that Institution which has such just and so important Claims upon its President.
As it would be unbecoming in me, therefore, any longer to withhold the Honours of the Accademy from other Gentlemen, who have so much better deserved them and are so much better qualified to do service, I hereby decline the future Election to the Office of President of The Accademy of Arts and sciences.1
With great Respect and / Esteem for the Members of the
Accademy / in general and with the highest Con / sideration for yourself in
particular, I / have the Honour to be, Dear sir / your most obedient Sert.
RC (MBA:American Academy, Letters, 1792–1803);
internal address: “Reverend Joseph Willard D.D. / President of the
Accademy of / and Sciences.”; endorsed: “Presidents Letter / to the Vice
Presi- / dents. / Read 27. May 1794”;
docketed: “6 May 94.”
There is no record of Willard’s reply.
JA remained president of the American Academy of Arts
and Sciences until his resignation on 4 June 1813 (
AFC
, 9:390). For JA’s role
in bringing new ideas and inventions to the academy, see Descriptive List of
Illustrations, No. 5, above.