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).
The day after receiving your favour of the 4 Feby I wrote the enclosed answer.1 But as my mind has been so long
withdrawn from the occurrences in Congress and so wholly bent on a different
object, I was not in haste to send it until I refreshed my mind by looking
over the journals. After all the search I have made and the recollection I
am master of I see no reason to alter it.
I have now the pleasure to inform you that I have at length compleated the translation of What is commonly called the Old testament from the Septuagint version. Since withdrawing from publick affairs I have gone over it three times as if I was making a new translation availing myself of my former attempts only as helps. In the last which I have just finished, I have so far satisfied myself that I believe I shall here rest. It has been a work of labour but it has amply rewarded me by the satisfaction & pleasure it has given me.
I have gone over the New Testament twice in the same
manner but have not yet satisfied myself. Whether I shall live to compleat
it is uncertain. But I think it is high time that we had another translation
of that invaluable book—2
Mrs. Thomson3 joins me in best wishes for the
health and happiness both of you & Mrs.
Adams
I have the honour to be / Sr
/ Your obedt humble servt.
sThomson
RC (MHi:Kippis Papers).
See JA’s 4 Feb. letter to Jeremy Belknap, above. Thomson’s 9
March reply to JA was printed in the Boston Columbian Centinel, 13 May.
Thomson continued work on this project and published
it in Philadelphia in 1815. A presentation copy of A Synopsis of the Four Evangelists; or, A
Regular History of the Conception, Birth, Doctrine, Miracles, Death,
Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus Christ, in the Words of the
Evangelists is in JA’s library at MB (
Catalogue of JA’s Library
).
Hannah Harrison Thomson (ca. 1728–1807) was Thomson’s
second wife (Jay, Selected Papers
, 2:433).