1From John Adams to Timothy Dwight, 4 April 1786 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Letter, & the Conquest of Canaan, with more pleasure than you will easily believe. before I took any measures towards the publication of this Poem, I was determined, whatever affairs might interrupt me, to read it, & I found so much pleasure, in this Employment, that it was very soon compleated. My taste as well as my Impartiallity may be disputed: but I will venture to...