His old arrears, by reason of depreciation, £112, are made up; and he has an addition to his income of £12 per annum. I could give you a long history of the difficulties he has passed through and overcome, to get the affair settled; but it would be an unentertaining narrative. He is exceedingly obliged to his friends in many places for the kind notice they have taken of him during the struggle.

I enclose you a pamphlet, which is intended to set in a fair light a sentiment which has of late been much abused. The book has the fate of being condemned in

the most pointed terms by M y's # adherents. I think

it is worthy of attention, and will serve to explain many texts, which on any other plan seem to have either a very low meaning or none at all. There is a catechis7n lately

printed at Portsmouth, which contains M y's scheme

in semine. If I can get one of them, I will send it to you. Is it probable you shall ever journey this way again? I am your obliged friend and servant,

To Ebejstezer Hazard, Esq.

J. B.

HAZARD TO BELKNAP.

Philadelphia, Sept. 3, 1782.

Dear Sir, — Last post carried you an hasty line, which I think referred you to the present for a more particular reply to your favour of 26th July. I am acquainted with Simitiere.i He appears to me to be possessed of no extraordinary genius, but is a mere collector of curiosities. For this reason I have not applied to him about the cross-bill; but, from the information I have received from others, it is neither peculiar to New Hampshire nor America, but is found in Europe. I have been told there is a cut of it either in the Dictionary of Arts and Sciences, in 8vo, or in Chambers; but I have had no opportunity of examining either. I have never heard of a translation of Buff on. Goldsmith, if you can get him, will be your man. He is a passionate admirer of Buff on, but has, at the same time, impartiality enough not to conceal his errors. As I formerly told you, I had not dipped deep enough into Goldsmith to form a proper judgment of him. Since that time I have gone farther, and find him more systematical than I expected, and at the same time not so particular as to load the memory of the reader with minute subdivisions. In short, he seems calculated to give a man who is not professedly devoted to the study of Natural History a general, entertaining, and useful view of it.

I am sorry to find that your friend's situation is still disagreeable. He acts prudently in taking the advice of friends acquainted with local circumstances. "Festina lente" was a favourite maxim with the great Lord Coke, and perhaps it is the best advice which can be given in the present case. Public affairs must always have a great influence on the situation of individuals, and they are in such a state at present as cannot continue long, but must very soon receive important alterations. General orders have been issued for the evacuation of Charlestown in South Carolina, and I have not the least doubt that event has taken place before now. There is the greatest reason to expect the evacuation of New York, and, I think, peace in the course of the winter. These events will probably either render your friend's situation more comfortable where he is, or open a door for his removal upon advantageous terms. I would therefore advise him not to give up his present certainty, though uncomfortable, for an uncertainty which may be more so.

We have had a very uncommonly dry season here too; the prospect of a second crop of hay is entirely blasted, and the Indian corn has suffered much. This has been only in some parts of the State, in others there have been plentiful rains.

I have read over your Thoughts on the Original Population of America with attention, and I confess they strike me more forceably than they did at first; nevertheless, I think some difficulty may arise from the Gospel never having been preached (so far as we know) in Norway, Sweden, and the northern parts of Russia, &c. If this is admitted as an argument in favour of the youth of America, may it not be inferred, by a parity of reason, that the peopling of those parts is of an equally recent date?

When I meet with your "Thoughts" in Powars's paper, I will get them republished here, and in the mean time will shew those I have to friends; and, if 1 collect any new sentiments, they shall be transmitted to you.

[Written outside.]

Since sealing this, have recollected that it is unfinished*

BELKNAP TO HAZARD.

Sept. 10, 1782.

Dear Sir, — This is intended chiefly to cover an answer to Mr. Aitken's printed letter, wThich I beg you to seal and deliver. I am afraid he is too good a man to get money by printing. This Pennsylvania Magazine was certainly an excellent work, and I wish it might be revived and continued. I know not what success his present attempt may meet with at the southward, but am afraid it will not meet with much here. Had it been set on foot sooner, perhaps it might have done better. But Bibles are now a drug in the shops at Portsmouth.

We are here exercised with a very long and severe drought. The pastures are so dried up that many people now feed their cattle with hay. The English grain was all blasted within twenty miles of the sea. The Indian crop is much pinched. I sent you last week two pamphlets, one by a disciple of M y, the other by I

know not who, but on a much more rational, though not less benevolent plan. I apprehend this latter is designed to open the way for a larger work, by some hints which have been given me.

Mrs. B. is very poorly, and has been all summer at times. She desires her love, and I am, dear sir, with much affection and respect, your obliged friend and servant, J. Belknap.

P. S. If you can conveniently, I wish you would send me a few more of the glass bubbles inclosing a drop of water, which you once sent me; and two or three of the lachrymae, if they can be had at your glass houses.

BELKNAP TO HAZARD.

Dover, Sept. 23,1782.

Dear Sir, — Two packets from you containing papers and Mr. Paine's pamphlet came to hand Saturday last. I much thank you, especially for the latter, in which he has, I think, done himself and his country honour, though he certainly has not told the whole truth about the paper money. Pray, are you acquainted with this gentleman? Is he accessible and free in private acquaintance? The reason I ask these questions is because from what he has said in a note of his Preface on the subject of literary property, in which I feel myself somewhat interested, I have had some thoughts of writing to him; but if you are acquainted with him, as you are in the same box, I should rather communicate with him by your means, and, if any good plan could be proposed, I should readily join in it for the benefit of the fraternity of writers, that the printers and booksellers may not have the whole profit, as they have hitherto done, of literary labour.

I thank you for your hint about the population of Norway and Sweden. I wish to have as many objections and difficulties as possible proposed, that I may see whether my subject is insuperably embarrassed before I venture it forth. I have not yet examined any author relating to the antiquity of those northern regions, but I have two answers in my mind to what you object, and you may judge whether they have any force. On supposition the Apostles did not actually go so far north, one reason might be that they preached in the countries adjoining, from whence others might, in proper time, be sent to evangelize them; another, they might foresee by the spirit of prophecy that the inhabitants of those regions would in a few years emigrate, and by coming into the country where Christianity had been preached would learn it, and profess it; for this was the fact when the Goths and Vandals invaded the Roman Empire. These are only sudden thoughts. I will endeavour to consider the matter more closely when I have an opportunity. I have not yet got my thoughts prepared for the fugitive publication 1 talked of. When I am ready, I will take care that you shall be apprized of it. In the mean time, I beg for a very free communication of whatever may arise in your mind on the subject, either by way of confirmation or objection.