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Correspondence of Adam Smith, ed. E. C. Mossner and I. S. Ross, vol. VI of the Glasgow Edition of the Works and Correspondence of Adam Smith (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 1987).

Part of: The Glasgow Edition of the Works and Correspondence of Adam Smith, 7 vols.

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271.

From BISHOP JOHN GEDDES1

Address: Adam Smith Esqr., Com[missione]r [of] Customs

MS., EUL La. ii. 110 vii (copy); unpubl.

Blackfriars Wynd, Edinburgh, 8 July 1787

Dear Sir

As I am to set out tomorrow for the north, and hope that you will be returned from England with a great Stock of good Health for many years, before my Return; I leave this to be delivered to you by Mr Brydson,2 who has lately become a particular friend of mine in consequence of the very considerable Merit, of which, if I am not very much mistaken, he is possessed. I think he has more than ordinary Talents, which it is a Pity he should not be enabled to apply to laudable purposes, as he earnestly desires to do.

He has undertaken to give an Account of the Order of the Peerage of Great Britain and Ireland; and if it should be agreeable to you, he will submit to your Perusal an introductory Discourse on the British Constitution, which, in as far as I can judge, is well done.

He has already obtained the Names of several Persons of Eminence as Subscribers to his Work, but he is particularly desirous of your’s, for obvious Reasons, if you should think it proper to grant this Favour to him and me, I even entertain Hopes that after conversing with him, you may be pleased to be useful to him with others, who may be very useful to him. He labours under disadvantages; but, I think he has Pur[pose] and will have Perseverance to surmount them.

The Motives, which you will see I have for troubling you with this, will, I am confident, be a sufficient Excuse for it.

I ever am with great Esteem and Regard, Dear Sir, your much obliged and obedient humble Servant

[signed] John Geddes

[1 ]John Geddes (1735–99), Roman Catholic Bishop; educ. Scots College, Rome; Superior of Scalan 1762–7, of Semple’s College in Spain 1770–9; Coadjutor of the Lowlands with the title of Bishop of Morocco 1779–97; published a life of Saint Margaret, Queen of Scotland, and a treatise against duelling.

[2 ]? Thomas Brydson, author of A Summary View of Heraldry, in reference to the usages of chivalry and the general economy of the feudal system. With an appendix respecting such distinctions of rank as have place in the British Constitution, published by Mundell & Son, Edinburgh, 1795.

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271.: From BISHOP JOHN GEDDES - Adam Smith, Glasgow Edition of the Works and Correspondence Vol. 6 Correspondence of Adam Smith [1740]