To John Jay from Samuel Miller, 20 January 1800
From Samuel Miller
New-York, January 20 1800
Sir,
I do myself the honour to send You a copy of a discourse, which I lately delivered, on occasion of the death of General Washington.1 I beg You to accept of it, as a small testimony of the very high respect,2 with which I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant
Saml. Miller
ALS, NNC (EJ: 08670). The son of a Presbyterian clergyman, Samuel Miller (1769–1850) followed his father’s calling. Miller received his license to preach in 1791 from the Lewes Presbytery in Delaware and moved to New York City two years later where he ministered to congregants of the Wall Street, Brick, and Rutgers Street churches.
1. Miller, Sermon on the Death of Washington. Miller also sent copies of his sermon to JA and TJ. See Miller to JA, 14 Jan. 1800, MHi: Adams; JA to Miller, 23 Jan. 1800, MHi: Adams; Miller to TJ, 13 Feb. 1800, PTJ, 31: 370; and TJ to Miller, 25 Feb. 1800, PTJ, 31: 394.
2. For JJ’s reply and critique of Miller’s sermon, see his letter of 28 Feb. 1800, below; for publications and public observances commemorating GW’s death, see the editorial note “New York Mourns the Death of Washington,” above.