William Gordon to John Adams, August 13, 1785

New York Au t 13. 1785

My dear Sir

Yours by your son was a very agreeable letter. 1 I rec d it last wednesday while at the President’s, where I had the pleasure of viewing your living picture. You have confirmed me in my suspicion, that tho’ there were many pictures abroad there was little likeness. I shall do my best, & it may be well for one who is not a writer of the first talents, nor been employed thirty years in making my collection. I shall pay more attention to resemblance, than the colours & the drapery. I mean not to publish the whole truth of what I know, tho’ nothing but what I know or believe to be true.

I hope to see you in England by this time twelve month; & to be engaged in drawing off from the dreggs an historical spirit, that shall deserve the attention of the public. 2 M r Jay & I have got great & thick since my arrival in the city. Propose returning, the way I came, by water, to Newport so to Providence &c, the beginning of next week; & being accompanied by your son, whom I persuade to go in that way rather than in the land carriages, whose drivers are furious & careless, so as to make it dangerous. 3 It is feared, that for want of a sufficient representation, the Congress will not get thro’ their requisitions—which will be bad for our character.

M r Hancock you will know before this can reach you, is chosen one of our delegates. 4 Politicians conjecture, he is laying out for the Presidents chair, that there will be all the apparatus of his coming on, & that if chosen during absence he will answer to appearances; but that if not chosen, illness real or feigned will prevent it.

This will be handed by D r Rodgers, a young gentleman of fair character & good behaviour, who served in the army in the physical line, & has since been studying in Scotland. He is the son of D r Rodgers the Presbyterian minister of this city, whom you cannot but know by the hearing of the ear, tho’ you may not by the seeing of the eye. 5 Th[o’ the] bearer is not a Bayman, yet as he has ever been a high son of liberty & a thorough American, I am persuaded he will meet with many civilities from you. Pray my best regards to your Lady & daughter, & accept the same yourself, from Your Excellency’s, sincere friend / & very humble servant

William Gordon

[No]t having my own study & tackling, I cannot write as I would; but hope to be legible.