William Stephens Smith to John Adams, December 3, 1790

New York December 3 d. 1790.

Dear Sir—

Permit me to introduce to your acquaintance M r. Blodget, tho’ I believe you may recollect seeing him in London—he will
present himself to the President being charged with the prosecution of a plan relative to the building of the fœdral City, 1 he is a young man of great property and
supported in his project by most undoubted security, he will if you give him an
opportunity communicate his intentions out of civility and respect for your Character
and station but has not the most distant wish, that you should in any manner interest
yourself in the business, but as it will doubtless become a matter of conversation, your
knowing from himself the principles of his project will be sufficient master of the
subject to say when it is mentioned what you think of it, founding your observations on
the engenuity of the project the Genius of a Boston Lad, & the effect it will have
on the public purse— You will oblige me by telling him I have written to you on the
subject as I promised him I would, & as a young rising Genius, I think him at least
entitled to smiles and protection, remember me to M rs: Adams
M r. Thomas & kiss my dear boy for me. 2

I am D r. Sir—yours sincerely

W: S: Smith