BELKNAP TO HAZARD.

Boston, September 12, 1787.

Dear Sir, — Your letter of the 4th is clever, and like yourself; it notices every thing I had said and wished to have noticed. Waters is pleased with your acceptance of his pamphlets. He takes a pride in being a friend of Mr. Hazard; and he is capable of being a very sincere friend, as I have a long time experienced. I do most earnestly wish for the indenture, as I think there would be an impropriety in binding him again, before the former obligation is formally cancelled. If the Doctor does not send it soon, pray give him a gentle hint. I am glad to hear that your "sweetheart" is well, as Cutler told me she was not when he was there. He is over head and ears in the Ohio. Last week he spent 3 or 4 days here in town on the business, and was so deeply engaged that I charitably believe he told me the truth when he said he could not get time to call and see me. I wish we may reduce the Continental debt by selling lands.

Moving is not admirable business, especially in dog-days. I and my family were so beat out with it that it took us nearly a week to recover.

The French are going from us. An express arrived yesterday from Prance, and to-day they are in motion. They have behaved very decently and politely; and there has been but one fray since they have been here, which was among their own sailors.

Burglary is very common. Two attempts have been made within three nights past to rob Governor Bowdoin, but both were defeated: the culprits, however, escaped. Yesterday a fellow was discharged fronr the bar of the Supr Court on account of insufficient proof of burglary, and last night he broke open a vessel, and this morning was committed again. A poor fellow is under sentence of death for a like crime.

I hope this will find your children recovered. We have a tolerable share of health in our family at present.

As yet I have not found a convenient opportunity to introduce any thing relating to the Farrago. It is a business which (now Dr. Gordon is away) nobody seems to care about. I know not what may happen, but shall watch opportunity.

Pray have any of my books been sold at New York? Have you learnt any thing relating to the editor Dallas? What about the Federal Convention? or is it really secret? I send you, for your perusal, a sermon of John Murray's. It is a jewel in its kind, — as complete a specimen of a twisted, tortured, hunted metaphor as ever I saw. As I have but one, you will please to return it to me.

Mrs. B. joins me in love to all your good family.
Your affectionate friend,

Jeremy Belknap.

Do you hear any thing said about the Foresters?

HAZARD TO BELKNAP.

[Fragment.] New York, September 14, 1787.

Carey is here procuring subscriptions for his Museum, and meets with great success: he talks of visiting Boston on the same business, next spring. I had some chat with him about the Annual Register, and find that he has by no means given up the idea of publishing one; but, for a work of such magnitude, a number of previous arrangements are necessary. When these are made, he will begin it. He intends to devote himself wholly to that and the Musseum. In the conversation, he said you had thrown out some important hints, which would not have occurred to him. I find he has an high opinion of jour judgment and abilities, and hope it will prove advantageous to you. Enclosed is a letter from Dallas. We are told that the Convention have at length finished their business, and that their express is to leave Philadelphia next Monday, with the budget. Such has been their secrecy, that I believe not ap article of the Constitution is known; but, if it should prove only a tolerable one, I think every friend to the peace and happiness of America should give it his support. Several attempts have been made, by evilminded persons, to burn this city: in consequence of which, the inhabitants of every ward have had a meeting, and determined to guard the city themselves in turn. The good effects of it are evident already. Many disorderly and vicious persons, who probably lived by plunder or by prostitution,

[The remainder wanting.]

HAZARD TO BELKNAP.

New York, September 25,1787.

Dear Sir, — Now for an answer for yours of 12th inst. From the character you have more than once given of Colonel Waters, as well as the personal acquaintance I have with him, I shall be happy both in having him for my friend and in being his. His attachment to you strongly recommends him to me.

The indenture has been forwarded, as you doubtless are informed e'er this by the receipt of it; so that your difficulty must be removed.

I dare say Cutler has had his hands full. I have not heard from him since I saw him. He promised me that he would speak to somebody about the Academy's Transactions, but I hear no more of it. I feel a little hurt (not by Cutler) about that business. You must know that when I lived in Philadelphia I received a printed letter from the committee, requesting me to procure subscribers for the 1st volume. I did so, and returned the list by the time appointed: my own name was in it. Since the volume has been published, I have seen Mr. Guild in this city, and mentioned it to him: he promised to attend to it immediately upon his return to Boston; but, to this day, I have not been able to get a copy for myself, nor do I know if one of the gentlemen who subscribed with me has got one. I see they are advertised for sale in Philadelphia; but, as I am bound by my subscription to receive one from somewhere else (and do not want two), I can get none. The sale to the Ohio Company will make an hole in our domestic debt, and a new deduction from it is making by the sale of Western lands here. The first day they sold from 10s. 9c?. to upwards of 40s. per acre; and for 172 acres, &l. 2s. Qd. per acre was given. 1 suppose the sales of that day averaged about 20s. per acre; since that, I am told, they have sold from 8s. (a dollar) to 10s. per acre. The first day's sales were chiefly on the river; the others lie a little back.

Has the French fleet sailed? I suppose it is expected that the disturbances in Holland will make it necessary for the fleet to be in Europe. Several attempts have been made to burn this city; one so lately as last Friday night. We can make no discoveries yet. I told you, in my last, that Carey was here: he saw my collection, and says he is determined to have it (the newspapers) as soon as he can muster money to pay for it, which he thinks will be soon. I told him it must be, as I expected the Corporation had a purchase in contemplation by this time, as I had desired you to make them the offer.

Allen tells me that only one of your books has been sold here. I am amazed and vexed at it. Carey could tell me but little about Dallas; but, upon the whole, I picked up that he has studied law, and appears to have the assiduity and perseverance necessary for a compiler and editor. He has lately requested me to procure him the armorial bearings of the several States. I have sent him some, among which are those of Massachusetts. Can you furnish me with such a description of those of New Hampshire as will enable an engraver to engrave them properly?

The Convention have done their business, and, considering circumstances, / think have proposed an excellent Constitution. You will have it before this can reach you, or I would send it.

I have read part of Murray's sermon, but can not read it all. I hate such trifling. In a sermon which Mr. Carmichael preached to Captain Ross's independent company, at Lancaster, in Pennsylvania, he says: "Above all, my friends, be careful not to jar the blessed unison of the American Harpsichord, which is so well set to the tune of Liberty by those grand artists, the American Congress." This would do; but such a mess as Murray gives is absolutely intolerable.

I hear nothing about the Foresters, for which reason I suspect that but few of the Magazines sell here.

We are all well, and join in love to your good family. I am, dear sir, Your friend,

Eben. Hazard.

BELKNAP TO HAZARD.

Boston, 29 September, 1787.

My Dear Sir, — Yours of the 14th, enclosing the indenture, &c, is come to hand; and I am much obliged by your conducting that whole affair from beginning to end. I hope the change will, on the whole, prove beneficial. My only connexion with A. now is as Dr. and Cr., and I suppose I owe him about £50, which cannot be paid but by sale of the books; and of that I see no prospect. Pray are any of those which were sent to New York sold?