Adams Papers Digital Edition

Papers of John Adams, volume 19

To John Jay

From Thomas Wren
To John Adams from Thomas Brand Hollis, 16 June 1787 Hollis, Thomas Brand Adams, John
From Thomas Brand Hollis
Dear Sir Chesterfeild Street June 16. 1787

yesterday for the first time I met with Admiral Darby and communicated to him what you said about the papers regarding America in Mr Jacksons possession.1 he said he could give no answer at present but would look them over. with this comes some tracts by North-cote for America.2

many thanks for the conquest of canaan which I hope to circulate as it has great merit as a poem & full of good & humane sentiments. 97 but your note did not accompany it. there will be some difficulties about printing & spreading it from the Arts of trade I doubt.

I am Dear Sir / with real esteem / yrs

T Brand Hollis

RC (Adams Papers); endorsed by AA2: “June 16. 1787.”; notation by CFA: “T. B. Hollis.”

 1.

Probably Richard Jackson, formerly Massachusetts’ provincial agent in London, although the “papers regarding America” have not been further identified. Retired British vice admiral George Darby (ca. 1720–1790), who was instrumental in the 1779–1783 defense of Gibraltar, was a former lord of the Admiralty (vol. 18:107; DNB ).

 2.

Not found. Hollis likely sent Tracts on Constitutional Subjects, Considered in New Points of View, London, 1786, by Rev. Thomas Northcote, a London-based chaplain in the British Army and author of Observations on the Natural and Civil Rights of Mankind, the Prerogatives of Princes and the Powers of Government, London, 1781. Northcote had written to JA on 23 Oct. 1786, describing his longstanding support of the American cause and asking for JA’s aid in transmitting his written works to Congress, as a way to cover his mounting debts (Adams Papers).