not be disappointed in any thing for which you have his word.

There is no printed paper of Kules for the Philosophical Society, except what are prefixed to their first volume of Transactions, which is not now to be got.

If the Academy at Boston does what it "threatens," it will only be paying the tribute due to your merit. I delivered your letter and History to the Society: they were both received as you would wish, and great attention was paid to the Memoir about the White Mountains.* The Secretary has orders to acknowledge the receipt of them. I hope soon to forward you a letter from him. Enclosed is one from Josey. Mrs. Hazard has something of a fever, and her head is much disordered. Our son is well. We all send hearty salutations to your fireside.

I am, my dear sir, yours affectionately,

Eben. Hazard.

HAZARD TO BELKNAP.

Philadelphia, November 6,1784.

My Dear Sir, — Your letter to Mr. Aitken, a post or two ago, was a very refreshing cordial, as it contained a bill for 100 dollars, of which he was in great want: it arrived while he was endeavouring to borrow* that very sum. That which came enclosed in yours of 28th is just arrived. I will carry it to Mr. A., who will doubtless forward the books, which shall be insured; but De la Vega will not be among them, being already forwarded. The "Magnetic Bucket/' I believe, is a serious affair. When the Marquis de la Fayette was here, a special meeting of the Philosophical Society was called, as the Marquis had something very particular to lay before them. They met, and were entertained by him with a long account of the new discoveries in magnetism. It was while I had the gout, so that Lcould not attend; nor have I ever heard what he said about it. We have an amazing dearth of news among us, and I fear our first will be bad. Trade has been long so overdone, that I fear we must hear of jnany bankruptcies soon. Josey says that you will forward the enclosed, if I send it to you. The Secretary of the Society has not yet given me a letter for you. He was not at the meeting last night. I proposed Mr. Cutler for a member, and he will be balloted for at the next election. Love to Mrs. Belknap, from

Your affectionate friend, Eben. Hazard.

HAZARD TO BELKNAP.

Philadelphia, November 13, 1784

My Dear Sir, — I will now endeavour to answer yours of 1st and 3d inst. from Boston. Mrs. H. has recovered, and we are now all in health. It is distressing to see such near connections in affliction, but I have no promise of exemption from the common Idt of mankind, nor any right to expect it. If our afflictions work for us the peaceable fruits of righteousness, we shall have reason to rejoice, and glory in them. May this be their effect. Great caution will be necessary to keep our little son from proving a snare to us; he gains upon us daily*; your experience must long since have taught you the meaning of this.

Though I have not yet performed my promise of reading your account of the White Mountains * to Josey, I have not forgot it, and have kept the letters separate for that very purpose; but really, my dear sir, if you were to see my hurry, you would not be surprized at my telling you I have not yet had time; it seems as if my whole life was to be one scene of hurry. I have lately undertaken part of the administration of Mr. Du Simitiere's estate, with a view to prevent his Museum (of which you have doubtless heard) from being scattered. It is probable the Philosophical Society will possess the most valuable part of ijt.

I have been waiting all this time to have one of your books neatly bound for General Washington; but Mr. Aitken cannot get a binder. He had one who behaved well for a few days, and after that was almost continually drunk, and spoiled a great many Bibles for him. He is much distressed about it.

I have now concluded to send the General one in boards, with an apology for not sending him one sooner. The date of your letter will shew that your attention to him was seasonable.

I am much obliged to you for Dr. Chauncy's book. I have read it attentively as far as to where he begins to answer objections, and so far am much pleased with it. His reasoning is clear and satisfactory, and his criticisms are just; at least, they appear so to me. He has placed many texts and passages of Scripture in a light altogether new to me, and I cannot help thinking his system not only rational, but Scriptural, and that it reflects more honour on the divine character than any I have yet met with. The Doctor mentions another book of his upon the same subject: pray is that published? I could not help remarking, as I read, the candour and Christian spirit with which the Doctor writes. Should anybody attack his performance, I hope it will be with the same spirit.

I am glad you thought of giving the two moroccobound books to the two branches of your Legislature: it was a good thought, and will probably produce a good effect. Can't you manage matters so as to get them to take a number, by way of encouraging genius? If it could be somehow decently mentioned to Dr. Bracket, he could perhaps engage Colonel Langdon in your favour, and his influence might do the business. Now you have received Garcillasso de la Vega, you will be able to proceed in your Conjectures upon the Population of America.

So the Freemason "looks very poorly." Would it not be advisable for him to go and "see his uncle"? Your information about the confinement of the fellows who stole the iron chest wras the earliest received here. I immediately communicated it to the person who was robbed, and he was very glad to hear it. Yours of 3d contained a bill on General Mifflin; as he lives far from me, I cannot present it before the post goes out. You shall hear the fate of it per next.

Mrs. Hazard cordially joins me in best wishes for yourself and Mrs. B.

I am, dear sir, yours sincerely,

Eben. Hazard.

Nov. 16, 1784.

General Mifflin has accepted Mr. Eliot's draught on him.

4 HAZARD TO BELKNAP.

Philadelphia, Nov. 23, 1784.

Dear Sir, — I have yours of 8th inst. The bill on General Mifflin will do what you suppose. I have already advanced Mr. Aitken 50 dollars, on account of it. Mrs. H. and family well. She joins me in love to Mrs. B. I have finished Dr. Chauncy, and have had no reason to change my opinion of him, which I gave you before.

Adieu. Eben. Hazakd.

BELKNAP TO HAZARD.

Dover, 27 November, 1784.

Mr Dear Sir, — Since I wrote you last, I have been honoured with a visit from your friend Dr. Evans,* whom I had never seen before, though I had often heard of him. He seems possessed of "the true milk of human nature." I regretted that he could stay with us but one night, but was pleased to find (as it was Court week) that he was taken so much notice of by the gentlemen who were here on that occasion.

General Sullivan speaks of him in terms of the highest respect; and all the officers of our New Hampshire troops that I have conversed with, as well as the privates, are full of his praises. I wish he may settle somewhere in this quarter. I hear the people of Charlestown have their eye upon him.

After a dearth of three weeks, I this day got two letters from you, and one from Mr. Aitken. I am thankful to hear that the bills are arrived, and hope to hear the second is accepted, as well as the first. I think I asked you whether the Boston bank-bills will do for a remittance. They are good here. When Mr. Cutler is chosen, I wish you would get a testimonial of it in due form, and send it to me. I thank you for your obliging attention to my request respecting him: he is a genuine son of science, and an ornament to his profession. Pray what is the real philosophy of the Magnetic Bucket? I am anxious to hear.

It gives me sensible pleasure that Mrs. H. is recovered: may the voice of health be heard in your habitation! The best way that I know of to keep your