“I must study Politicks and War that my sons may have liberty to study Mathematicks and Philosophy. My sons ought to study Mathematicks and Philosophy, Geography, natural History, Naval Architecture, navigation, Commerce and Agriculture, in order to give their Children a right to study Painting, Poetry, Musick, Architecture, Statuary, Tapestry and Porcelaine.”
John Adams to Abigail Adams, [post 12 May 1780]
17 years after this letter was penned, John Adams was elected the 2nd president of the United States. 45 years after, John Quincy Adams succeeded his father as the 6th.
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