Wythe to Samuel Adams, 1 August 1778

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Letter from George Wythe to Samuel Adams, dated August 1, 1778. Samuel Adams Papers, Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library.
Reverse of a letter from George Wythe to Samuel Adams, dated August 1, 1778. Samuel Adams Papers, Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library.
Letter from George Wythe to Samuel Adams, reminiscing on his time in Philadelphia at the Second Continental Congress, and requesting news.[1] Wythe inquires of the happenings around town, about their mutual friend William Ellery, and encloses what was probably a poem (the enclosure is not found).[2]

Letter text

Friend Adams, how d'y'? Are you disposed to devote a few minutes to conversation with an old acquaintance? Has governor Johnstone sent you no letters—offered you no guineas? Whilst you are answering these questions, if they be worth answering, tell me what more you would say if we were eating a saturday's dinner at mrs Yard's,[3] smoaking a pipe in the political club at the Indian queen[4]—holding a tete' a tete' at my apartment opposite to Israels garden[5]—or rambling toward Kensington. In a word, any thing, news, or what you please will be gratefully received. Where is Ellery? I have not had a couplet from him since I left Philadelphia. You may shew him the inclosed; but must not let any one know who so employs that time which he should spend better.

G. W.
Williamsburg
1 Aug. 1778.

My compliments to mr Hancock, mr Gerry, mr Dana, and such of your colleagues as I know.

See also

References

  1. Letter from George Wythe to Samuel Adams, dated August 1, 1778. From The Samuel Adams Papers, 1635-1826.
  2. Edwin Hemphill, in his 1952 article "George Wythe Courts the Muses," suggests the enclosure may have been an epigram of Martial.
  3. Mrs. Sarah Yard, proprietor of a popular lodging house, opposite the City Tavern.
  4. The Indian Queen Tavern, Fourth and Chestnut/Market Streets, Philadelphia, where many of the Congressional delegates roomed or dined.
  5. Clarke Hall, formerly owned by Israel Pendleton. Imogene E. Brown, American Aristides, Rutherford, NJ: Fairleigh Dickinson Press, 1981), 111 and 123n22.