Papers of John Adams, volume 21
r.
I scarcely know whether the Honour and Favour of your
friendly Regards, which You allowed me when You were in England, will
justify the Liberty I now take; but I can not help so far rejoicing, as it
gives me an Opportunity of testifying my high Esteem and Respect. The
Bearer, Mr Millar, is the Son of Professor
Millar of Glasgow, so well known by his excellent “Historical View of the
English Government.”
Mr Millar Junior has for some
Time practised as an Advocate at Edinburgh, and with great promise of
Ability and Success. But having appeared as a Pleader in [. . .] Cause of
Liberty, He has been persecuted in [. . .] a Manner as hath induced Him to
quit h[is] native Country.1
He goes over to America with every Thing to recommend Him in Point of
personal Character and literary Talents. He is excellently qualified for the
Department of Education. If You should condescend to give Him any Advice
with Respect to what may be proper in his Pursuits, I shall esteem it a
peculiar Obligation. In the midst of the Desolations of Europe, I rejoice in
the Prosperity of America, and in the Wisdom and Moderation of its two chief
Governors.
With sincere Respects to every Part of your Family, I
have the Honour to be, / dear Sr, / your most
obliged / and obedient Servant,
RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “To / The Honble John Adams Esq; / Vice President / of the / American
Congress.”; endorsed: “Dr Kippis. March 10 /
ansd June 14th. 1795.” Some loss of text where the seal was removed.
Scottish law professor John Millar (1735–1801) taught
at the University of Glasgow and wrote An
Historical View of the English Government, from the Settlement of
the Saxons in Britain to the Accession of the House of Stewart,
London, 1787. His son John Craig (1760–1796), an Edinburgh lawyer,
immigrated to Philadelphia (
DNB
; Jefferson, Papers
, 28:285, 407).