tolerably well, my Cold has left me. Miss Betzey I have not seen or heard from Scince my Last.

Inclosed, is Captn. Paschall Smith's Receipt for a Box of Frames, which I hope will arrive safe to hand. The Frames are (I think) as good as any that have been done, and are such, as I hope will please the Taste of the Gentry at New York. If you should have Occasion for more, you would do well to lett me know as soon as possable, that they may be ready to goę by Capt'n Smith, when he makes his next Trip.

Your Lawsuit-in my last, per Post, I informed you perticularly of that. As the Superior Court setts by adjournment in November, and as I suppose, you won't be at home till the middle of October, I submitt it to you, weither it would not be best, that Mr. Payne should prepare himself for speaking in the Cause. Mr. Otis you can not have the least dependance upon, he has been raving distracted, several times the last Week. If you should determin that Mr. Payne is to speak, it would be best that he should know of it, as soon as possable, that there might be no Excuse, for his not being prepared, for want of time. Mrs. Sigourney wants very much, to have Mr. Josiah Quincey for a speeker; he tells her, that he will have nothing to do in the affair, unless he can speak. Mrs. Sigourney will be entirely satisfied with your determination.

Your Works, at Mount Pleasant, go on very Briskly. The upper house is in it's place. It has the Cellars finish'd, the Chimnies built, the Back part erected. The Roof finished entirely. It makes a very noble appearance, and its situation is pleasant beyond Discription, beyond Idea.1 I could wish the lower house stood three feet higher upon its foundation, This House is also in a fine forward way. The Back is framed 1 Erased in first draft: "the conception of the most lively Imagination."

1

erected and Boarded, Chimnies altered, Roof entirely finished, rough pertitions and rough Ceilings up throughout the House. Captn Joy says, he shall be ready for the Plastering, in about a Fortnight, and that you may come into the House this fall with all safety. I wish the matter of the Peaza's was determined, as some things depend upon them. for instance, if it was determined to have them, the Windows might be placed so far out, at the ends of the House, as to allow Room for the Box casing for the shutters, without lessening the Rooms. It ought to be determined upon, before the House is Clapboarded. The front and one end of the upper house must be new Clapboarded, will you give me directions about it? the Clapboards on the other end are very good. Who is your Glazier? Mr Gooch has spoke to me, to know if you will give him the jobb, he would be very glad to have it. Mr Moses Pitcher has likewise applyed to me, he would be much obliged to you for your employ, in the Glazuring, Papering and Plumbing Buisness's. Mr. Miller would be glad to serve you, in the Papering Way. he desired me to mention it. he says he will work as Cheap and do his Work as well, as you can gett it done in Boston. He is at Work at the upper house. Mr Winter hopes, you will be so kind, as to lett him do what Iron Work you may want. Mr., I forget his name, no matter, would recommend slate as vastly preaferable to shingles, and would be proud to serve Mr Coplin. I dont recollect any Body else, that I have to recommend. Would it not be best to give one good coat of paint, to the Roofs of the Houses? it appears to me as well as to others, that it would be a great benefit, much more than the expence. The Chinese Rail - Did I inform you that you are like to have a fine Crop of Potatos?

1 First draft: Mr. Gough.

You would do me a great Kindness, if you would procure me, if it is to be had at New York, The Church Prayer Book in Latin. I am not able to get it here. If you can get one, please to send it by Smith. In my last Letter, that per Mr Startin, I gave you a discription of the stair case, since that we have made Considerable Alterations in the Plan, much for the better. The Passages to the two great Rooms will be much more Roomly,1 and much easier of access. it would be very difficult to describe it in a Plan. I have contrived to have your painting Chamber, very commodious for painting a whole length Picture. This I will discribe by a Plan.2 The Part of the Room marked A is made considerably higher than the rest of the Room B. This part of the Room A will be made 9 or 91⁄2 feet high, and will be extended 9% feet from the Great Window. This I think will be ample Room.

Capt. Joy has made the front of the lower House II Inches higher, which makes it look much better. I had like to have forgot to put you in Mind of the Lime trees, for the continuance of the Walk, from Mr. Handcock's. it will be a fine time to send them, by Capt. Smith when he returns, it will take 36 Trees to go to the Water. The Apples that I mentioned in a former letter, a Barrell of Newton Pippins, a Barrell of Golden Pippins, and some fine Large New York Water Melons. I have promissed one of these last, so that I shall depend upon them. News, by a Vessell in 5 Weeks from London, we are informed, that Mr. Wilks is Chosen Sherriff of London. That the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Livery, have presented another Remonstrance, in which after enumerating many greviances, they request his

1 Erased in first draft: "Roomy."

2 There is a similar plan in the first draft, but less carefully drawn, and giving fewer details. The first draft also has this drawing.

1

Majesty to Restore them their Rights, And Peace to this unhappy, and distracted Nation, by a speedy Dissolution of Parliament, and a Removal of his Majesty's present Wicked and despotic Ministers forever from his Councils and Presence. They were answered, by a peremptory refusal, and a severe reprehe[n]sion, for using such indecent Language. My Mamma present[s] her kindest Love and Blessing to Yourself and My Sister. Accep[t] my own Love and Compliments, present the Same to my Sister. My Compliments attend Mr. Startin. I am Dear Sir, Your most Affectionate Brother, most obed[i]ent, and Humble Sert.

HENRY PELHAM.

PS. Rememr. it is the 10 of Septr. also Rememr. October is approaching, and also that Boston stands in its old Place.

Post Script. DEAR BROTHER

BOSTON Sepr. 10 PM

I did not intend after so long a letter as that of this date to have wrote so soon but this is to let you know that you can procure Lime Trees from Spriggs Mr. Handcock's Gardner. He will furnish Trees Plant and Warrant them for 18 Shillings O. T. a peice. this I imagine will be Cheaper than they can be procured from N. Y. for, considering Risque, Frieght etc. Spriggs's Trees are four Years old and 12 feet High. If you think proper to have them planted this fall (which I think by all meens would be best) let me know as soon as conveni[ent], that there may be a first Choice. Mr Sprigg says he can supply you with every Fruit Tree, flowering Tree except the Tu[lip] shrub or Bush that you can want. that he will plant them and not receive his pay till it is known weither the Tree etc. lives or not, and that he will supply you as Cheap and as well as any

Gardner in America. For Compl. I refer to my long Letter. I am as there your most Affectionate,

HEN PELHAM.

P. S The Tulip Trees are plenty with you and it would be no damage if you was to send some of them by Capt S. Good night.

DEAR BROTHER,

Copley to Henry Pelham

NEW YORK, the 20 of Sepr. 1771.

Your favour by Capt Smith I received yesterday and shall answer paragraph by paragraph. The frames came safe to hand and I hope will do, but shall know better when they have been seen by those who will want frames, and soon as possable if they will answer you shall have my orders.

As to my Lawsuit I think you had better write to Mr. Payne let him know when the Cause must come on and desire him to be ready. let him know Mr Putnam and Mr Quincey is engaged with him and they must pursue the common practice with respect to speaking, for I am determined to do nothing to give offence to Mr. Payne. let Mr Payne know I depend on his being ready. But dont you tell this to Mr. Quincey; he need know nothing of your Charges to him and my absence is a sufficent covouring. for if Quincey Leaves me, I had rather it should be at the time of Tryal than sooner, and indeed I dont think I shall be at home so soon as the Cause will come on, and if you manage well my Absence may be turned to good Acct. for you know you cannot with any reason affront Mr. Payne, and I left no perticular Direction for Mr. Quincey to speak, Suposeing the Attourneys would take proper care and do what was proper by me and one another. but be sure direct