Adair, James. The History of the American Indians.

(AMERICAN JUDAICA).

Edward & Charles Dilly

London

1775

FIRST EDITION. Engraved folding map opposite title-page entitled “A Map of the American Indian Nations.” Title-page signed: “Col. Guy Johnson, London, March, 1776.”

Sabin 155.

Fully an entire half of this extensive survey is devoted to: “Observations and Arguments in proof of the American Indians being descended from the Jews (see pp. 15-220). First edition of the “best 18th-century English source on the Southern tribes, written by one who traded forty years with them” (Howes A38). Guy Johnson (1740-88) was an Irish-born military officer and diplomat for the Crown during the American War of Independence. He had migrated to the Province of New York as a young man and worked alongside his uncle, Sir William Johnson, British Superintendent of Indian Affairs of the northern colonies. Accompanied by: Autograph Letter Signed from Thomas Coutts & Co. concerning financial matters relating to the Estate of Col. Johnson. London, 10th July, 1789.