Papers of John Adams, volume 21

Samuel Latham Mitchill to John Adams, 17 August 1791 Mitchill, Samuel Latham Adams, John

From Samuel Latham Mitchill

Sir Albany August 17. 1791—

I beg leave to ask your acceptance of the inclosed packet, for the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. It contains two Volumes, both of which are curious. The one a Welch Dictionary, sent me from Pembroke-Shire, by my friend Dr. Harries, some time ago, and containing the Ancient Language of Britain. Its Use, as a Book of reference for Philologists and Antiquaries, will probably be more 53 extensive in such a Library as the Academy possess than in that of an individual. I therefore took the liberty to forward it.— The other is Lauder’s Essay on Miltons Imitation of the Moderns in his Paradise Lost; a most singular work and which on account of the inparalelled forgeries it contains, has damned the Author’s Name to everlasting Infamy.1 This may not be unworthy the Perusal of those Gentlemen who study the Writings of the English Epic Poet. On that account I ventured to send this along too.

I have the Honor to be with high Respect, your Excellency’s very humble servant

Saml L Mitchill

RC (MBA:American Academy, Letters, 1780–1791); internal address: “His Excellency John Adams Esqr”; endorsed: “Dr Mitchell’s Letter / recd 9. Novr. 1791.”

Mitchill (1764–1831), of Hempstead, N.Y., University of Edinburgh 1786, was a professor of chemistry, botany, and natural history at Columbia College from 1792 to 1801 ( Biog. Dir. Cong. ).

He sent copies of Thomas Richards, Antiquæ Linguæ Britannicæ Thesaurus: Being a British, or Welsh-English Dictionary, Bristol, Eng., 1753; and William Lauder, An Essay on Milton’s Use and Imitation of the Moderns, in His Paradise Lost, London, 1750.

John Adams to Tench Coxe, 20 August 1791 Adams, John Coxe, Tench

To Tench Coxe

Sir Braintree August 20. 1791

I have determined in all Events to remove my family into Philadelphia from Bush hill, on Account of the many Inconveniences We experienced last year in passing and repassing.

I write this to beg the favour of you to give my Steward John Brisler, your Advice and Assistance, in procuring a house in Town. As the time is short, I expect to be obliged to some disadvantage. But any house and any rent is better than what We Suffered last year.1 your kindness so often experienced has brought upon you this new request from sir your most obedient and / humble servant

John Adams

RC (PHi:Coxe Family Papers); addressed: “Tench Coxe Esqr: / Philadelphia”; internal address: “The Hon. Tench Coxe Esq.”; endorsed: “John Adams / Braintree Aug: 20 / 1791.”

In late October, JA and AA moved into a house on the corner of Fourth and Arch Streets. AA described their new home thus: “my House is no way to my mind. the Rooms so small and not able to lay two together, renders it very troublesome to see so much company as we must be obliged to.” The Adamses moved out in late April 1792. When JA returned alone to Philadephia that fall, he boarded with Samuel Allyne and Mary Smith Gray Otis ( AFC , 9:237, 238, 509, 510).