me that improper qualifications are required respecting the Representatives. Had the circumstances of the State permitted, I should have thought it no bad addition that no man should be Governour, Counciller, Senator, or Representative, who had not had a liberal education. Is it not a little extraordinary that you should be less Catholic than Massachusetts? They require only Christians for Governour, &c.; you insist upon Protestants. I hardly know what to think about County Conventions. They occasion what may be called a double sifting of Representatives; but will be very expensive, especially as they are to be annual, and may be monthly, or even more frequent. Who does "their" refer to, p. 56, under the head of "Encouragement of Literature " ? — " Honesty and punctuality in their dealings." "Legislators and magistrates" appear to me to be the next antecedent. But I must have done, when I have once more assured you that Mrs. B. and family share largely with you the affection and esteem of

Your friend, Ebek. Hazard.

HAZARD TO BELKNAP.

Philadelphia, Feb. 11,1782.

My Dear Sir, — I received your favour of 5th January by last week's post, but was so excessively hurried that I could not answer it. My hurry is not yet over, for new arrangements are necessary, in consequence of a late alteration in our department, and they are not yet finished. It adds to my happiness to be assured that you derive advantage from my correspondence; let me, in return, assure you that I value yours highly for a similar reason. I am unable to tell upon what terms Maryland acceded to the Confederation, but may perhaps be able to inform you hereafter. People this way seem to have the same opinion with you of what will be the probable consequences of our success in Virginia. You will receive herewith the Book of Constitutions, of wThich I beg your acceptance. I hear the time for considering of yours is prolonged. The alterations proposed by your town appear to be judicious. We are told here that Vermont has proposed reverting to her old limits, provided she may be a State. Something is on the anvil, but the members of Congress keep it to themselves. I thank you for the King's order. The Report is not ad rem. You will remember that I told you above about new arrangements, — the next subject (in course) of your letter may be one; war, or no war; which makes what has happened more disagreeable. However, I do not intend either to be weary or faint in well-doing. Thank you and your dearest for your good wishes, but I believe this will be the place of my residence.

Mr. Clarkson's compliments. T' other day I was reading an old book, printed last century; if you think it worth transcribing, you may take a copy, and send mine to Dr. G., but desire Mr. Libbey to frank it. Remember me affectionately to Mrs. B. Tell her I hope all her good wishes will not be in vain. Adieu.

Eben. Hazard.

BELKNAP TO HAZARD.

Dover, Feb. 17, 1782.

Dear Sir, — It is some time since I had the pleasure of hearing from you; but I find by the last paper that you are not only alive, but advanced, on which I congratulate you, as I am sure it will be a benefit to you and your country. I am not sure, however, that I shall not regret it in a selfish view, as, if you thereby gain a settlement, I shall probably be deprived of the pleasure of your visits.*

You mentioned in one of your last letters a plan of the country of New Hampshire, which was printed by order of the commissioners who settled the line in 1737, and you supposed that I received it among the papers you were so good as to get for me from Little Harbour. This is a mistake; I received only four printed briefs. The plan I have long wanted to see; if you have one, I could wish for a sketch of it. I am going on rapidly (for me) with my continuation, but the rapidity is scarce perceptible. I hope, however, as soon as the spring comes on, I shall be able to produce another chapter, which will bring me to about the year 1705. After that, I do not foresee any great difficulty that will come in my way till I arrive at the negotiation with Mason in 1747, and then, I believe, I must take for my motto, Touch and go is a good pilot.

Enclosed is a parcel of Vermont papers. There is a proclamation out against the revolters,t conceived in Jonah's style, — Yet forty days, &c. As soon as I can get a copy of it, I will send you one. Their forty days will be out next week, and then — what? Why, General Sullivan is appointed to go up and reduce them, as he did the Senecas. If any thing more arises, you shall hear of it; and, as I have laid a plan to get printed papers relating to the controversy, I'll send you all I can.

Adieu. Let me hear how much your new post will be to your advantage, for I feel interested in your welfare. * Mrs. B. salutes and congratulates you with your affectionate friend, Jeeemy Belknap.

P. S. Our Hen has adjourned her sitting till next June. Be so kind as to enquire of some of your literary friends what is the best complete system of natural history now extant, whether it can be had, and at what price.

HAZARD TO BELKNAP.

Philadelphia, Feb. 26, 1782.

My Dear Sir, — You formerly asked me upon what terms Maryland acceded to the Confederation. I have been since informed that all they demanded was that Virginia should cede to the United States a part of the enormous territory which she claimed: which was complied with.

Accept the enclosed sermon. I don't know whether you are acquainted with the preacher; but, if you are, I think you must be pleased with him upon many accounts.

As I see no prospect of my paying you a visit, I must request you to send me my Chronology per post, as I have frequent occasion to refer to it. We are told that Commodore Gillon has arrived at the Havan[ah, and] on his passage took four or five Jamaica men. A vessel arrived at Baltimore brings advice that the Spanish fleet had sailed from the Havanah, their destination unknown. Our late papers are not worth sending.

Present my best respects to Mrs. Belknap, and accept fresh assurances of the inviolable attachment of

Your friend,

Eben. Hazard

HAZARD TO BELKNAP.

[Endorsed] Rec'd April 7, 1782. Philadelphia, March 15, 1782.

Dear Sir, — Your favour of 17th ult. came to hand by last post. I am obliged to you for your congratulations upon my late appointment, and shall be happy if your opinion of the consequences of it should be rightly founded. It will not be in my power to call and see you as often as I could wish, but you may rely upon the warmest friendly attachment. I misinformed you if I told you of a plan of " the country of N. Hampshire." It should have been of Merrimac River, However, I send you a copy of it; although it is not done either neatly or with mathematical accuracy, I hope it will answer your purpose. It gives me pleasure to find that you go on so rapidly with your continuation. When you come to the negotiation with Mason, let "Nidlius addictus jurare in verba magistri" be your motto. You will find amongst the records (I think in the hands of Mr. Emery) a number of papers relating to that affair, and I doubt not the proprietors (say Mi*. Jaffray) will furnish you with all they can in their own favor. You will thus be possessed of evidence pro and con. State it impartially, and leave the public to form their own judgment.

Thank you for the Vermont papers. I wish that affair was well settled. The salary you enquire about is 1250 dollars per annum.

It is confidently reported among us that six hundred volunteers went from Antigua to reinforce the garrison of Brimstone Hill, in St. Christopher's; that they fell into an ambuscade formed by the French; that four hundred and fifty of them were killed; and upon that event the garrison surrendered. This intelligence comes by a vessel which arrived here yesterday from Grenada.

Remember me to Mrs. B. Adieu.

Eben. Hazard.

I will enquire about the Natural History.