without hopes of doing it. If prevented, his plan since its publication, having been approved by very judicious persons, others may either proceed according to that, for the attainment of the end desired, or be hereby excited, to devise and execute some better method of performing this great service for the Colonies.1

1

I am, with the greatest respect for the Hon'ble House of Representatives, Sir, Your most obedient and most humble servant,

W. BOLLAN.

SIR,

JAMES OTIS, JR., TO JASPER MAUDUIT

BOSTON, NEW ENGLAND 23d of April A.D. 1762.

I take the liberty to inform you that the general assembly of this province have by a very great majority made choice of you to serve them as their Agent at the court of Great Britain; and I sincerely congratulate you thereon. It has been industriously reported here that, your state of health would not admit of your accepting this

1 This letter refers to Bollan's Colonia Angliæ Illustrate; or, the Acquest of Dominion, and the Plantation of Colonies made by the English in America. London, 1762. Writing in 1818, John Adams said: "Mr. Bollan was a kind of learned man, of indefatigable research, and a faithful friend to America; though he lost all his influence when his fatherin-law, Governor and General Shirley, went out of circulation. This Mr. Bollan printed a book very early on the 'Rights of the Colonies.' I scarcely ever knew a book so deeply despised. The English reviewers would not allow it to be the production of a rational creature. In America itself it was held in no esteem. Otis himself expressed in the House of Representatives, in a public speech, his contempt of it in these words: 'Mr. Bollan's book is the strangest thing I ever read. Under the title of "Rights of the Colonies," he has employed one-third of his work to prove that the world is round; and another, that it turns round; and the last that the Pope was a devil for pretending to give it to whom he pleased.'

“All this I regretted. I wished that Bollan had not only been permitted, but encouraged to proceed. There is no doubt he would have produced much in illustration of the ecclesiastical and political superstition and despotism of the ages when colonization commenced and proceeded. But Bollan was discouraged, and ceased from his labors." Works, x. 356.

trust; But from the best intelligence we could obtain, there is reason to hope, this objection was started only to favor some other gentleman. You may rest assured that your election was carried by the friends of liberty civil and religious, and that, from the character we have receiv'd of you, this interest are determined at all events to support you. It would be a vast disappointment to us to hear of your refusal, especially as there is a party that would exult thereon as an event very favorable to their scheme of politicks.

I presume you are not to learn that tho' there are some worthy persons among our American Episcopalians, too many of them are very high in their religious and political principles. A few dissenters here, whose notions of government are as high as theirs, had, under the influence of some of our former governours, form'd a party whose plans of power were diametrically opposite to the rights of mankind; and have too long triumph'd in the miseries and misfortunes of this province. But, thank God if not dead, they have receiv'd their death's wound! There is reason to believe our present Governour, Mr. Bernard, who fell into some of the worst hands upon his first arrival, begins to be convinc'd whose views are most nearly connected with the true interest of the province.1

1 "We are apprehensive, Sir, that there is a scheme forming for sending a Bishop into these parts; and that our G-rn-r, Mr. B—rn-d, a true ch-ch-m-n, is deep in the plot. This gives us a good deal of uneasiness, as we think it will be of bad consequence; at the same time that we are much at a loss, how, or in what manner to make Opposition to it. If you should happen to hear it discoursed of, I believe I may assure

you, that you could not do the body of the people in N. England a more essential Serv

ice, or lay them under stronger Obligations, than by using your influence, in such ways as may appear proper to you, to prevent this project's taking effect. And I should be glad if you would take an opportunity to hint something as to this affair, to Mr. Mauduit, and other leading Dissenters in England; who might be likely as occasion offered, to appear in Opposition to such a proposal." Jonathan Mayhew to Thomas Hollis, April 6, 1762. Ms.

The Assembly has this day passed an act to enable you to receive the Parliamentary grant for the year 1760. Richard Jackson, Esqr.1 is impower'd in case of your sickness or death to act in your stead, as Mr. Trecothic was named in the Acts with Mr. Bollan. But you are to all intents and purposes appointed our sole standing Agent. Your Instructions also pass'd both houses yesterday and will with all the necessary papers be transmitted you by the Secretary whose letter from you dated about a year since was made great use of to prevent your choice but in vain. As it is probable you may hear more of this from others, I think it but justice to all concerned to let you know the truth. Upon Mr. Bollan's dismission the governor to whom it seems you are a stranger set up Mr. Jackson. The Lieut. governor,2 brother-in-law to the Secretary, was very fond of going Agent himself. The Secretary was ground between two mill stones. Your letters was artfull[y] extracted and the contents made use of as an argument that you was averse to the Agency. However, among half a score candidates talk'd of and three voted for, you carried it by 54 votes out of 90, and had the choice been a day sooner would have had three-quarters of the whole Council and Representative body, who upon these occasions vote by joint ballot. The Governor has very quietly acquiesced in the choice and his Lieut. will be forced to do the same. The Secretary is a worthy man but wants resolution to think and act for himself - of both which he is as capable as some who have dictated to him.

I have taken this early oppertunity to acquaint you that I have the merit of a small share in your election.

1 Agent in London for Connecticut.

2 Thomas Hutchinson. He married Margaret and Andrew Oliver married Mary, daughters of William Sanford.

Royall Tyler, Jno. Phillips and Thomas Cushing, Esqrs., with whom I have the honour to represent the city of Boston, are your stanch friends and will perhaps address you by the same conveyance. The speaker of the house who I have the happiness to call my father, being suddenly called out of town upon the Court's rising, directed me to make his compliments of congratulation. I should think myself highly honour'd in a correspondence with you; heartily wish you all imaginable success and prosperity in all your affairs, and beg leave to subscribe myself your most obedient humble Servant,

JAMES OTIS, JUN'R.

THOMAS HUTCHINSON TO WILLIAM BOLLAN1

BOSTON, 24th April, 1762.

DEAR SIR, My suspicions were well founded. Monday last the House sent up a vote to dismiss you from the Agency. I made what opposition to it I could but the terror of election which is just at hand prevailed over all other considerations, and II votes carried it against 10 for a concurrence with the house. Two lawyers of the same name 2 carry all before them in the house and B-le at the Board heads the party there. This afternoon they have chose one Mr. Mauduit to whom I am an entire stranger. I never knew an instance of such mad proceedings. The Court must rise in 2 or 3 days at farthest. They would have had me been of a Committee for Instructions, but I declined it, and told them it would take more time than they had to spare upon any one of several affairs depending, and

1 Mass. Arch., XXVI. 12.

2 James Otis, father and son.

3 William Brattle.

which you are thoroughly possessed of. Indeed, I desire to have no more to do with them, and they assure me I shall not after this session.

I must in justice to the Secretary tell you, that notwithstanding Mr. Mauduit is his friend he was one that remained firm to your interest. I am, etc.

TH. HUTCHINSON.

SECRETARY OLIVER TO JASPER MAUDUIT 1

1

BOSTON, April 24, 1762

SIR, The Character the General Court has received of your integrity and capacity has induced them to make choice of you as public agent for the Province in Great Britain, as you'll observe by a transcript from the records of the Court of yesterday's date: and it is by their direction I now inform you of it. Your Commission, signed by his Excellency Governor Bernard, is sent you herewith. It is probable the General Court at their next May session will instruct you fully upon the public affairs of the Province that will be proper for your cognizance: But as it is necessary you should have the earliest notice of the circumstances of their principal money-concerns, you are hereby informed that, according to a letter received from Mr. Bollan, dated April 29, 1761, the Province's proportion of the Grant made by Parliament to the colonies for their services in 1759 is £60,634. -.- sterling: on the credit of which the General Court order'd the Province Treasurer to draw upon Mr. Bollan for £60,000 stg. Accordingly Bills were drawn by the Treasurer in favor of the Purchasers agreeable to the form here with sent. After the Bills were drawn

1 Prepared by a committee of the General Court. The draft is in Mass. Arch., LVI. 380, and is in the writing of James Bowdoin.