An Inspiring Correspondence

Let me tell you, my beloved reader, about the inspiring Adams-Jefferson correspondence that I read about in a speech that former Yale president, Richard C. Levin, gave to incoming freshmen in 2001. But first, let me tell you who Adams and Jefferson were.

Both Adams and Jefferson played an important role in the American Revolution that took place in the 18th century. After the country gained independence, they served as its president. Adams became the second President of the United States in 1797; Jefferson, the third in 1801.

In 1812, they began exchanging letters, and continued until 1826 when they both died on the same day. Levin said the letters were about history, political theory, theology and the politics of the day. And he discussed three traits evident in them: a passion for learning, capacity for independent thought and friendship rooted in deep respect and admiration for each other.

It is important to note that Jefferson had the largest library in Virginia, Adams one of the finest in Massachusetts. And they recommended books to one another and wrote reviews in some of the letters they exchanged.

Take for instance Plato's Republic which they loathed. Jefferson, in a letter that speaks much of his independence of thought, wrote to Adams, "I laid it down often to ask myself how it could have been that the whole world should have consented to give reputation to such nonsense as this."

Adams replied, "I'm very glad you have seriously read Plato, and still more rejoiced to find that your reflections upon him so perfectly harmonize with mine."

It was not only their breadth of learning that impressed Levin, but also their passion for it. Adams wrote to Jefferson, "So many subjects crowd upon me that I know not which to begin with."

On the particular subject of government, where their passion was most intense, Adams insisted, "You and I ought not to die before we have explained ourselves to each other."

Jefferson agreed and later thanked Adams for their intellectual exchange, saying, "But why am I dosing you with these ante-diluvian topics? Because I'm glad to have someone whom they are familiar with and who will not receive them as if dropped from the Moon."

Then five years before their deaths, the 86-year-old Adams wrote to Jefferson, "Must we, before we take our departure from this grand and beautiful world, surrender all our pleasing hopes of the progress of society? Of improvement of the intellectual and moral condition of the world? Of the reformation of mankind?"

A passion for learning, capacity for independent thought and friendship rooted in deep respect and admiration for each other - again, these are the traits that Levin said were evident in the inspiring Adams-Jefferson correspondence. Excellent traits worthy of emulation.

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RECOMMENDATION: If you've enjoyed this story, you might also enjoy "Homage to Thomas Jefferson".