Adams Papers

From William Stephens Smith to John Adams, 21 January 1796

From William Stephens Smith

New York Jany. 21st. 1796.

Dear Sir,

I take the liberty of introducing to your acquaintance the Bearer of this, Mr. Wm: Langworthy, Author of a much approvd Work entitled “an attempt to promote the Commercical interest of Great Britain,” a Copy of which, I believe he presented you with1 he is a Gent. of Science and abilities, who has been invited to this Country, as a proper theatre for the exercise of his talents and who lately arrived in this City with his family—disgusted with the scenes in the old world, he seeks tranquility in the new. and proposes to make our Country the place of his future residence— He was the intimate friend and Companion of Mr. Cranch2 in England & I believe is some how related to the family— he is ambitious of paying his respects to the President, to whom he wishes to present his Book. both yourself & The President will find him a Gent. of extensive information, & whose talents may probably be used to great national advantage, Will you do me the favour of permitting him to accompany you to the Levee, and presenting him to The President, or if he should be admitted to a private interview, I think The President will not consider the time misspent— The Children are all getting well over the measles & Mrs: Smith enjoy’s her usual good health, & Joins me in sincere wishes for your health & Happiness. I am Dr. Sir. / Your most Obdt. Servt.

W: S: Smith

RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “The Vice President.”

1English author William Langworthy (d 1798) wrote An Attempt to Promote the Commercial Interests of Great Britain, Bath, Eng., 1793. A presentation copy bearing JA’s annotations is at MH-H (AFC description begins Adams Family Correspondence, ed. L. H. Butterfield, Marc Friedlaender, Richard Alan Ryerson, Margaret A. Hogan, Sara Martin, Hobson Woodward, and others, Cambridge, 1963– . description ends , 11:152).

2John Cranch (1751–1821), Richard’s nephew, resided in Axminster, England, and frequently sent gifts to the Adamses (AFC description begins Adams Family Correspondence, ed. L. H. Butterfield, Marc Friedlaender, Richard Alan Ryerson, Margaret A. Hogan, Sara Martin, Hobson Woodward, and others, Cambridge, 1963– . description ends , 7:379; JA, D&A description begins Diary and Autobiography of John Adams, ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. description ends , 3:207).

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