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volume of your Biography, of which I have read a part with pleasure, but have not had time to go through it. Dobson tells me your other books do not sell, which I am very sorry for. They have been advertised.

So you have got your hand in mortar. May you live long to enjoy your house, and find it a comfortable habitation, until you are removed to a better, in the heavens.

My 2d volume is published, and Dobson tells me he has sent a parcel to D. West. I send herewith the orders you formerly mentioned. Please to put a copy of this volume in your library, and let one be given to Mr. Morse, one to the Academy, and one to the Historical Society, in my name and with my compliments.

We have got the great Dr. Priestley among us. We admire him as a philosopher; we pity and sympathize with him as a persecuted man; we shall endeavour to comfort him in his exile by polite attentions; but he

August 5.

So, as I was saying, but he will not be ranked among the most eminent Christians. He has lately been attacked in a pamphlet, by a writer who can write well, whom, from his rancour and illiberality, I take to be an Englishman. Even conjecture has not named him.*

I cannot yet get your account from Dobson; but, from what he has told me, I fear his receipts on your account will go but a little way towards paying Aitken.

Dobson, some time since, sent some of my books to Boston; and, I think he said, without a letter; and I have not been able to write about them, nor, indeed, to pay any attention to them. My time is too much engrossed by the office; but I cannot help it. We have nothing

*The person who attacked Dr. Priestley soon after his arrival in this country was an Englishman, William Cobbett ("Porcupine"). Dr. Priestley arrived at New York from England, 4 June of this year. See an account of his reception there in Wansey's Excursion to the United States in 1794.- Eds.

new. When you see our friend Morse, tell him we are all well, and that I have long intended to write to him. Love to him and his, as well as all yours.

I have several things for the Society, which shall be sent, and among the rest the Journals of the Senate U. S., procured through the favour of Mr. Otis.

I have just thought whether your house will not be built in less time than this letter has been on the anvil. Good-bye. EBEN. HAZARD.

HAZARD TO BELKNAP.

PHILADELPHIA, September 11, 1794.

DEAR SIR,―This day I have received yours of 15th ultimo, with the late publications of the Historical Society, which shall be distributed as directed.

The certificate has been some time in my hands, waiting for a safe private conveyance, but is now forwarded agreeably to your directions, per post, which indeed is necessary, or it will not be in time for putting on the books, so as to enable you to receive the next interest at Boston.

It is probable that my 2d volume has reached Boston ere now. I cannot think what has detained them so long.

One Bradford (who, I am told, was formerly a member of our Assembly) appears to be the Shays of Pittsburg; but I suspect others are concerned, under cover. My own opinion is that most of their committee have had a finger in the pye. I should not be surprized if it should be found that some members of democratic societies have, by letter or otherwise, stimulated to opposition to the laws.

Mr. Fenno's son was mistaken. The letter was begun long before he proposed going to Boston, as it has probably informed you.

My interruptions are incessant.

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The militia will certainly march against the insurgents. Our Governour goes with them. My regards to your family. I am

Your affectionate

EBEN. HAZARD.

P. S. I had seen Mr. Dexter's advertisement for a "Devel" catcher before.*

BELKNAP TO HAZARD.

BOSTON, 20 September, 1794.

MY DEAR SIR, -Your favour, enclosing the warrant, came to hand yesterday, 4 days too late for the present quarter. The Loan Commissioner cannot receive it till after the 1st of October. I wish you had not kept it for a private opportunity, but had sent it by post immediately on receiving it.

Your books are come, and are advertised. I have received mine, for which I thank you, but have not yet had time to cut open the leaves. I am so deeply dipped in mortar that I can attend to nothing else; and yet, through a strange act of Providence, the settlement of a friend's estate and the care of two orphan children are devolved upon me, and I cannot get rid of the charge.

I hope to get into my house the first week in October. The Tontine Crescent is situate between Summer Street and Milk Street, in a place which, when you knew the town, was a piece of meadow ground. I cannot give you a better idea of it than by the enclosed plan,† where you will also see the limits of the late fire, and the situation of the several houses which I have lived in since I came to reside here.

I hope "our Pittsburg brethren" will be brought to

* Timothy Dexter. See the "American Apollo" for Aug. 7, 1794. — Eds. ↑ A heliotype of this plan is inserted at this place. — EDS.

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DEAR SIR, —— It is a long time since I heard any thing from you. I suppose you are deeply immersed in business, but I hope not so deeply but that you can spare time to do a little for me. I wish to have my accounts at Philadelphia closed. I sent books there to be sold, which, if sold, would produce enough to pay my balance to R. A.† It is my request to you to call on Dobson, and see what he has sold, and what he has on hand, and, if he will take what are left, he may have them at any price which you and he may agree on. Then, if you will be so good as to pay my balance to R. A., and draw on me for whatever may be wanting, I will honour your bill at 8 days' sight.

Mr. West has not called on me for any of the 1st volumes of your collections. They still remain in my care. The 2d volumes are in his shop. Shall I send back the 1st volume to you? West says he has not room for them. There is something due to you, which you may know by the memorandum I formerly sent you. Please to put

that also into your bill, and it shall be paid. But there is one debt I shall always owe you, and that is gratitude and respect.

I feel an admonition within myself to get my affairs in order, and not to leave any thing which may prove a

* Or "spunk.' - Eps.

↑ Robert Aitken, often referred to here as "Scotus."-EDS.

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