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then in England; by which means you might gain time to deliberate what resolution to take. any instructions you can give me relative to it I will endeavour to execute, for I heartily wish he may not sell these Lands for the reasons I have mention'd. I have a strang piece of News from Denmark. The Article says that the Young Queen has long been suspected to have carried on an Intrigue with her Physician (a Scotch Man who went from England when she married).1 The Populace suddenly broke into the Palace imprison'd the Queen, and (it is said) put the Physician to Death;2 Time only can clear up this Matter; perhaps it may be an Intrigue carried on by the Queen Dowager, who jealous of the legal Power being soley in the hands of the Young Princess, might wish to [incomplete]

Henry Pelham to [Miss Peggy McIlvaine?]

DEAR MISS PEGGY,

BOSTON, March 1st. 1771 [1772].

Your agreable Favour of Jany. 28 1772 came to hand but a few days ago. By it we have the Pleasure of finding that You, Your [Sister] Mrs. Billings and family were well. Had not Mr. Buttler told us that he saw you well at Falmouth, I should have been uneasy for you[r] safe Arrival at home. My Mamma who is tolerably well desires her kindest Love to [you] and Mrs. Billings and is exceeding glad to hear from you. We were really quite lonesome after you Left us, and much wanted your good Company. As my time is short I must briefly tell you some Peice of News. Brother and Sister Copley, have returned after seven Months abscence in Charming hea[l]th. they arived the

1 Carolina Matilda, wife of Christian VII, and mistress of Struensee.

2 He was beheaded April 28, 1772.

* Juliana Maria, widow of Frederick V.

Third of January. Left York Chrismass day, had a fine Season for Travelling and luckely finished their Journey, before the Weather sot in very severe. the[y] have spent a most agreable Summer abroad, and have been highly Carressed. they present their Comts. to all their Friends at Casco. While you was in Boston I think you was knowing to some of the difficul[ties] I underwent with regard to a Lawsuit my Brothe[r] had with Banis[ter]. I have now the Pleasure of informing you that the Tryall Came on Last Thursday when the Case was determind fully in Mr Copleys favour. The Houses at Mount Pleasant are not yet finished. My Brother expects to get into one of them the Begining of next Month. Your Friend Mr. Hancock drew the day before yesterday 1500 Dollars the Highest Prise in the Present Lottery. he had seven tickets; one is not yet drawn, two were blancks, the other four p[r]ises. this is the second tim[e] he has drawn the Highest Prise. By the Papers I suppose you have seen that he has given the most generous sum of 7500£1 towards rebuilding Dr. Coopers Mee[t]ing house. To tell you that We have had a most severe, Cold, and disagreabl[e] Winter will be telling you what I fancy you must know already. Little Cousin Betzsey is very well. Snap has behaved himself exceeding well. I have not time to ad further at present, than In my Mama's Name and for myself to salute you wishing you Mrs. Billings and Family all Health and Happyness, and hoping to have the pleasure of your Company in the Spring. in the mean Time we beg that you would let us hear frequently from you. I am Dear Madam your sincer[e] Friend and Humble Sert.

1

H. P.

1 The records show that he gave £1000 and a bell. Lothrop, History of the Church in Brattle Street, 101.

Mr. Copley and Lady present their best respect[s] to you your Sister and Family.

We are exceeding sorry for Mr. Tyngs very considerable Loss.

Isaac Smith, Jr.1 to Copley

[1772.]2

Mr Is. Smith jr. presents his compliments to Mr Copley, and begs leave to inform him, that he has met with an extract, whh. he made from Sir C's letter in Anderson's Hist. and Constit. of Masonry (as it was not his own), but that the principal circumstance in it is what he has already mentioned to Mr. Copley, i.e. with regard to placing a pulpit, he observes, “a moderate voice may be heard 50 feet in front, 30 on each side, and 20 behind the preacher." Anderson's book may probably be found among some of the worshipful fraternity in town.

James Bowdoin to Copley

[1772.]

Mr. Bowdoin's respectful Compliments to Mr Copley. He thinks wth. Mr. Copley the Pilaster cannot be objected to on account of its projection and if the Comtee. shd. not think the Entablature too expensive, it probably may be the best Method to finish the Front: concerning wch. Mr. Copley is the best judge.

Monday Eveng.

1 Son of Isaac Smith, brother of Mrs. John Adams.

2 Pelham had endorsed this note 48, the first one from James Bowdoin which follows, 49, and the extracts from the Records of the Church in Brattle Square, 50. The second note from James Bowdoin has no endorsement.

Memo.

[James Bowdoin] to Copley1

[1772]

Mr. Copley will please to delineate on the Plan eleven Pews on one side of the Pulpit and ten on the other; all of an equal width viz: 3 feet and a little more than 3 Inches each.

The Brattle Street Church2

At a Meeting of the Committee for rebuilding the Meeting House in Brattle Street June 11th, 1772. Present, the Honble JAMES BOWDOIN, Esq. Chairman, the Honble JAMES PITTS, Esq., the Honble JOHN HANCOCK, Esq.

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The Committee had laid before them the plan and Elevation of a Meeting House, with the Steple compleat, exhibited by Mr. Copeley, which was much admired for its Elegance and Grandure; but upon making an Estimate of the Expence that would attend the carrying the Design into Execution, it appeared that it would much exceed the Funds the Society depended on for the purpose, and for that Reason it was laid aside. Whereupon, a Motion being made and seconded, it was unanimously Voted, that Mr Storer be desired to wait upon Mr. Copeley and make him acquainted therewith; at the same Time to tender him the Thanks of the Committee for the great Pains and Trouble he had been at, and so desire he would let the Committee know what would be an adequate Compensation for the same.

At a Meeting of the Committee August 3rd, 1772, Present the

1 This note is in the same handwriting as the preceding one.

2 These notes are not printed in Records of the Church in Brattle Square.

Honble JAMES BOWDOIN, Esq., Chairman the Honble JAMES PITTS, Esq., the Honble JOHN HANCOCK, Esq.,

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The Committe being informed that by Reason of Mr. Storer's Absence when they passed upon Mr. Copeley's Plan on the 11th of June, he was not so fully apprised of their Determination, therefore Voted unanimously, that Mr. Storer, together with Mr. Gray, be desired to wait upon Mr. Copley in Person, and present him with a Copy of their Vote passed the 11th of June last, and to thank him in the name of the Committee.

A true Copy, as of Record, Attest,

THOMAS GRAY, Secretary to the Committee.

William Carson to Copley

NEWPORT, 16th Augt., 1772.

MR. COPELY,

Mrs. Gibbes and Mrs. Carson are arrived in that good health and beauty in which I wished to see them. The longer I look, the better I am pleased. I discover new beautys every day, and what was considered as blemishes, now, raises the most exalted Ideas of the perfection of the Painter "and painting to the life." Mrs. Carson's picture, which is by much the most natural and just painting I have seen of yours, only shews, what you are capable of executing. Your painting of the Squirrel was a modest production, and your picture of Mrs. Gray in Crayons could only testify, that in Boston there was one fine face, and you, a man of some Genius. Neither, could point out your Genius, qualitys or perfections as a Painter. You are unknown

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