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My family is well, and we all join in love to you and Mrs. Hazard, rejoicing that you have been so happily carried through the pestilence. I am, dear sir,

Yours affectionately,

JEREMY BELKNAP.

P. S. I have sent William Penn's Letter to the Citizens of Philadelphia to John Fenno.

P. S. I have contracted with Thomas & Andrews for the printing of one edition of the Biography, which will be about 1,200 copies. For each volume I am to receive 300 dollars in one year after publication: all the money collected by subscription to be mine, as part of said sum. Thus, I have nothing to do with paying paper-makers, printers, nor booksellers, no freight, insurance, package, to attend to, but solely writing, delivery the copy, correcting the press, and receiving the money. I am, however, to have 25 copies for myself, and to retain the copyright.*

BELKNAP TO HAZARD.

BOSTON, November 26, 1793.

DEAR SIR,

Since I wrote by Mr. Wingate, I have received a letter from you, by the post, in answer to mine. You have given me an account of all my acquaintance in Philadelphia, except William Ball and Scotus. I am sorry your index was burnt, and that you have to go through the drudgery of making another. As to John Thayer, I do not intend to write a word against him, or any thing that he has said. If the Roman Catholics are mending their principles and practice, I wish them success. The time may

* The first volume was published in 1794. The second volume was in the press when Dr. Belknap suddenly died, June 20, 1798. The preface or "advertisement to that volume bears date June 1, 1798.- Eds.

come when the Church of Rome may be as pure as it was in the Apostles' days. I am glad to find that they are ashamed to own some things which, in the days of their insolence, they boasted in.

The booksellers here have agreed to raise the price of the History of New Hampshire, bound, to 5 dollars. By the same rule, those in blue boards ought not to be sold under 258., L. M. Will you be so good as to give notice of this to such of your booksellers as have them? Beers, of New Haven, has sent to me for 6 sets.

I have told Jo of the omission you mentioned, of the monthly pamphlet. He says they are sent by post, as newspapers. I have said to him that he had better send them by water. When you look over your books, at the end of the year, let me know what months are missing.

Brother Morse is well, and is defending his Geography against Freeman. But it needs much correction.

Our love to all yours.

Your friend and humble servant,

JERE. BELKNAP.

I wish you would send me the plan on which your insurance office is founded. I have never seen it.

BELKNAP TO HAZARD.

BOSTON, December 20, 1793.

MY DEAR SIR,- This will be handed to you by William Spotswood, who, by the removal of his family hither, has become a Bostonian. He intends to remove his printingoffice in the spring, and I believe he will be an addition to the number of good citizens. He informs me that he does not remember to have seen any public advertisement

of the books which I sent to Dobson for sale. If there has not been any, perhaps it is not now too late. I think it must help the sale. I am anxious to have my account with Scotus closed, partly because it is of so long standing, and partly because I think he must have suffered in his interest by the late sickness, though I hear he and his family have lived through it.

Our Historical Society have petitioned Congress for copies of all acts, journals, treaties, and other public papers printed by their order. The petition is sent to Peleg Coffin, a member from Nantucket, to present, he being one of our Society. As you are also one of our Corresponding Members, I wish you to be acquainted with him, he is a worthy and well informed man, especially in the mercantile and navigation line of business,—and to assist in the applying to the several offices for the accomplishment of our views. For this purpose, I enclose to you a letter, which you may deliver or not, as you see fit. We want also copies of proceedings of ecclesiastical synods and assemblies, Episcopal or Presbyterian or Quakers or Moravians, or any other denomination. And we wish to have all the accounts which can be had of the late malignant fever. In particular, I should like that you should get one of M. Carey's pamphlets, the latest edition, interleaved, and write on the blanks any notes which may occur to you, by way of amplification or correction. You need not be in a hurry about sending it: it will be the richer for being kept in your hands some months.

I hope this will find your family well. Mine is in general so, with an exception to Mrs. B., who has been for some time a little out of order; but you must not take any notice of it in any letter to me. Her nerves are deli

cate.

Brother Morse is daily looking for the arrival of another

son or daughter, perhaps both. I hope they have a couple of names of sufficient length prepared.

I am, dear sir,

Your friend and humble servant,

BELKNAP TO HAZARD.

JERE. BELKNAP.

BOSTON, January 5, 1794.

DEAR SIR, Permit me to introduce to you my very good friend and beloved physician, Dr. Nathaniel Walker Appleton, who is on a visit to Philadelphia. I am sure you will be pleased with him. Since I wrote to you by Mr. Spotswood, I have nothing very particular to say, till I hear from you.

This session of Congress must produce a great many important papers, which we shall wish to have in our historical repository. We are very willing to receive, and I hope shall be as willing to give, when we have it in our power; though I think we are not much disposed to buy, and for a very good reason, the same that is common to

most authors.

Mrs. B. desires her kind respects to you and yours. I am, dear sir, with unabated esteem,

Your sincere and obliged friend,

JEREMY BELKNAP.

The first volume of American Biography is in the press. I wish to have a return of subscriptions as soon as there is a convenient opportunity.

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BELKNAP TO HAZARD.

BOSTON, April 14, 1794.

MY DEAR SIR, —It is a long time since I heard a word from you. I suppose you are so immersed in business that you have no time to write. Is not this candid? You have with this one copy of the American Biography, Vol. 1st, which please to accept as a token of my friendship. Thomas & Andrews have the selling of them, and I am glad to be rid of that trouble. How do my other books go off? or were any of them burnt in Dobson's fire? I wish my account with Scotus was closed. I hope there is enough to pay him: if not, I will contrive to send enough as soon as I can know what remains due. I have broken ground to build a house, on a spot where never one was built, and in a new street, which is to be called after General Lincoln.

Mrs. B. and my family unite in affectionate regards to you and Mrs. H. and family. What sort of a scholar is Master Sam likely to make? Adieu. Write to me by Spotswood, if not before.

Your friend and humble servant,

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MY DEAR SIR,In yours per the Abby, Captain Eames, you ask if your apology for my long silence is not candid. It is, and you act a friendly part in making it; but, although you had not heard from me so long, I had actually written to you (but I don't know when), as the enclosed, which has long been my vade mecum, will shew. I send it in its unfinished state. Thank you for the 1st

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