I inclose you a letter from our friend D’Ivernois according to his request expressed in it.1 our geographical distance is insensible still to foreigners. they consider America of the size of a garden of which Massachusets is one square & Virginia another. I know not what may have been your sentiments on measures respecting the transplantation of the science of Geneva to this country. if not more successful than mine, the mission of their commissaries will make a bad matter worse. in our state we are already too wise to want instruction either foreign or domestic: and the worst circumstance is that the more ignorant we become the less value we set on science, & the less inclination we shall have to seek it.— we have had a hard winter & backward spring. this injured our wheat so much that it cannot be made a good crop. by all the showers of heaven which are now falling down on us exactly as we want them. our first cutting of clover is not yet begun. strawberries not ripe till within this fortnight, & every thing backward in proportion. what with my farming & my nail manufactory I have my hands full. I am on horseback half the day, & counting & measuring nails the other half. I am trying potatoes on a large scale as a substitute for Indian corn for feeding animals. this is new in this country but in this culture we cannot rival you. present my sincere respects to mr̃s Adams and accept assurances of the respect & attachment of Dear Sir / Your most obedt / & most humble servt