From this time, until November 1777, John Adams was incessantly employed in public duties in Congress, during the session of that body; and during its recess, as a member of the State Council in Massachusetts.  During this period, John Quincy was instructed at home, by her who, in long after years, he was accustomed to call his almost adored mother, who was aided by a law-student in the office of his father.  Edward Everett, in his Eulogy upon John Quincy Adams, made the very striking and just remark, that there seemed to be in his life no such stage as that of boyhood.  While yet but nine years old, he wrote to his father the following letter: 

Braintree, June 2nd, 1777.  Dear sir, I love to receive letters very well; much better than I love to write them.  I make but a poor figure at composition.  My head is much too fickle.  My thoughts are running after bird’s eggs, play and trifles, till I get vexed with myself.  Mamma has a troublesome task to keep me a studying.  I own I am ashamed of myself.  I have but just entered the third volume of Rollin’s History, but designed to have got half through it by this time.  I am determined this week to be more diligent.  Mr. Thaxter is absent at Court.  I have set myself a stint this week, to read the third volume half out.  If I can but keep my resolution, I may again at the end of the week give a better account of myself.  I wish, sir, you would give me in writing, some instructions with regard to the use of my time, and advise me how to proportion my studies and play, and I will keep them by me, and endeavor to follow them.

With the present determination of growing better, I am, dear sir, your son,
          
                                             John Quincy Adams.

P. S. Sir—­If you will be so good as to favor me with a blank book, I will transcribe the most remarkable passages I meet with in my reading, which will serve to fix them upon my mind.

After making all just allowance for precocity of genius, we cannot but see that the early maturity of the younger Adams proves the great advantage of pure and intellectual associations in childhood.

The time soon arrived when John Quincy Adams was to enjoy advantages of education such as were never afforded to any other American youth.  Among the earliest acts of the American Congress, was the appointment of Benjamin Franklin, Silas Dean, and Arthur Lee, as Commissioners to France; they were charged to solicit aid from France, and to negotiate a treaty, by which the Independence of the United States should be acknowledged by Louis Sixteenth, then at the height of his popularity.  Silas Dean was recalled in 1776, and John Adams was appointed to fill his place.  He embarked on this mission the 13th of February, 1778, in the frigate Boston, commanded by Captain Tucker.  John Adams had gone down to Quincy, and the frigate called there to receive him on board.  On the eve of embarkation he wrote the following simple and touching letter to Mrs. Adams: