all by return of post remit you the
money to London. Whatever be the cause of the delay, I beg
you will endeavour to find it out and let me know as soon as
possible, that I may at least be at the end of my hope.
Remember me most affectionately to all your family, and
believe me to be, most faithfully yours,

ADAM SMITH.

EDINBURGH, _20th December 1777_.

Neither you nor Mr. Cadell have wrote me anything concerning
the new Edition of my Book. Is it published? does it sell
well? does it sell ill? does it sell at all? I left
directions with Mr. Cadell to send copies of it to several
of my friends. If John Hunter was not among the number, put
him in _ex dono authoris_, and desire Cadell to send me the
account of the whole, that I may pay it. I should write to
him, but it would only be plaguing him. If you draw upon me
make your bill payable at five days' sight. I return to
Kirkaldy on Christmas Day.[281]

On returning to Kirkcaldy Smith again wrote Strahan:--

DEAR SIR--I should have sent you the enclosed bill the day
after I received your letter accompanyed with a note from
Mr. Spottiswood, had not Mr. Charteris, the Solicitor of the
Customs here, told me that the fees were not paid in London,
but at Edinburgh, where Mr. Shadrach Moyes acted as receiver
and agent for the officers of the treasury at London. I have
drawn the bill for L120, in order to pay, first, what you
have advanced for me; secondly, the exchange between
Edinburgh and London; and lastly, the account which I shall
owe to Mr. Cadell, after he has delivered the presents I
desired him to make of the second edition of my book. To
this I beg he will add two copies, handsomely bound and
guilt (_sic_), one to Lord North, the other to Sir Gray
Cooper. I received Sir Gray's letter, and shall write to him
as soon as the new Commission arrives, in order not to
trouble him with answering two Letters. I believe that I
have been very highly obliged to him in this business. I
shall not say anything to you of the obligations I owe you
for the concern you have shewn and the diligence you have
exerted on my account. Remember me to Mr. Spottiswood. I
shall write to him as soon as the affair is over. Would it
be proper to send him any present or fee? I am much obliged
to