----------------- HES POSTING ----------------- There is a famous letter -- at least it is cited a lot -- from Adam Smith regarding the American revolution. I've only seen the reference to it in The Correspondence of Adam Smith Is there anything more in the letter? Has anyone seen the context in which Smith is writing? Mossner, Ernest Campbell, and Ian Simpson Ross, eds. 1977. The Correspondence of Adam Smith (Oxford: Clarendon Press; citing Sinclair 1831, vol. 1, pp. 390-1). 262n: When Sinclair lamented the misfortunes of the American war, Smith responded "Be assured, my young friend, there is a great deal of ruin in a nation." The Correspondence of John Sinclair. 1831, i, pp. 390-1. Michael Perelman ------------ FOOTER TO HES POSTING ------------ For information, send the message "info HES" to [log in to unmask]