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Greenleaf is a Bostonian. I am told his father lives now in your town. The young man went privateering in the war, was several times taken, and, I believe, as often made his escape. He was in France. I have been told he was bound to Thomas, at Worcester, but ran away from him, and worked awhile with Carter, at Providence.

We are sorry to hear of your indisposition. Mrs. H. says mallows tea will be good for you. She finds castor oil (a vegetable oil expressed from the seeds of the Palma Christi) a sovereign antidote to the cholic. It is a valuable family medicine (a cathartic), and perfectly safe. Dose, about a tablespoonful; and wine makes a good vehicle. The whitest and clearest oil is the best, being most free from rancidity. It comes from the West Indies. Dr. Rush has merit in attempting to banish the abuse of spirituous liquors; but I feel he will be unsuccessful.

The letter to Carey is forwarded. So is Young's. I have enquired at the stage house, but can hear nothing of your bundle.

I thank you for the Blacksmith's Letter. As I have one in my farrago, I have given the one you sent to my friend Morse, who is now here, and sends his compliments

to you.

We hear nothing from Carolina yet, but have no doubt that matters will terminate favourably there, if they have not already done so. I reserved the enclosed for forgot to send it before.

you, and

Nothing new. All well, and unite in love to you yours, with your affectionate friend,

and

EBEN. HAZARD.

HAZARD TO BELKNAP.

NEW YORK, May 31, 1788.

MY DEAR SIR,

Yours of the 15th inst. I found to-day

among my unanswered letters, which surprised and mor

tified me very much; for in it was Mr. Pike's to Mr. Morse, and our friend Waters's request for a copy of Steuben's Exercise. It must have arrived during my late indisposition; and, being unable to attend to it then, I have forgotten it since. I immediately went and delivered the letter to Mr. Morse, with a suitable apology; but what shall I say to Waters? Say every thing that is necessary for me.

I have received a letter, with some asbestos, from Mr. Pike. From his account, I suspect my scheme will prove abortive, as my intention was to have the asbestos spun, and made into gloves, stockings, pocket-handkerchiefs, &c.; but he tells me he once intended to have gloves made of it, but found it too short to spin. However, I shall not give up yet. The packet for Mr. Morse, enclosed in yours of 24th inst., is delivered to him. What the consequence may be, I do not know. He was called to us merely as a kind of stated supply, as our Presbytery have but few candidates and a number of vacancies within their limits, and the winter season rendered the seasonable arrival among us of supplies appointed by Presbytery very uncertain. Our congregation are not in an hurry to fix a minister among them, as they wish for an opportunity of sufficient trial to enable them to make a prudent choice. Hitherto Mr. Morse has given great satisfaction to the serious part of our congregation, and some of them have hinted at giving him a call; but this idea does not seem yet to have occurred to the "generality." There is another gentleman here (a Mr. Muir, a Scotch minister from Bermuda), who has preached to us occasionally, and is an acceptable preacher, too. Some among us have him in their eye. This is our situation, from which you will see that nothing certain can be determined.

We have nothing from Carolina yet, except that they had gone through the consideration of the new Consti

tution on the 22d May, when a motion was made for an adjournment till October, which was opposed by 135 against 89, and we are told the grand question was to be determined the next day. We do not know how the votes for Convention have gone in this State yet. In this city, the Feds. have a prodigious majority; but I suspect the counties will be mostly anti-federal. The Governour had but 134 votes in the city.

Enclosed is a letter from Philadelphia.

Give love to Mrs. Belknap from Mrs. H. and

Your friend,

EBEN. HAZARD.

P. S. My compliments to Mr. Carey, of Charlestown, when you see him.

HAZARD TO BELKNAP.

June 5, 1788.

DEAR SIR, — It is so near time to close the mail that I can hardly do more than send you the enclosed. South Carolina has adopted the new Constitution, 149 for, 73 against it. Russel must put up the 8th pillar. We have a great majority of Anti-feds. in our Convention, but don't despair yet. All well. I am,

Yours,

EBEN. HAZARD.

HAZARD TO BELKNAP.

NEW YORK, June 26, 1788.

DEAR SIR, -I am glad your disorder left you so soon, and so civilly. Mine was a pain over my right eye; the remains (as I take it) of a disorder which attacked me about 25 years ago, when a suppuration took place, and my eye (or rather forehead, at the eyebrow) was lanced,

and a copious discharge took place. Whenever my mind is much worried, and I think intensely, I have the same kind of pain, which totally unfits me for business or society.

The asbestos, I fear, cannot be spun. Several ladies, skilled in that business, say it will not do.

I do not recollect any thing in my MSS. which will give you the information you want about Sir F. Gorges. However, I send my collection for the Province of Maine, that you may look for yourself. In Lib. 1, p. 7, that he was dead in December, 1651.

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An express from Poughkeepsie, yesterday, brought us the glad tidings of New Hampshire having adopted the new Constitution, and we had ringing of bells, firing of guns, &c., &c. I did expect "the Ancient Dominion' would have been the keystone of the arch; but New Hampshire has deprived them of that honour. Our accounts from Virginia are not very flattering. I suspect there will be but a bare majority, and some seem doubtful even of that. However, I cannot but hope their vote will be favourable, especially as nine States have agreed, and the new political machine will be set in motion. Should they join the nine, it is of little importance to the Union how New York votes.

Enclosed is a letter from Dr. Rush. He has lately been publishing a Plan for a Clerical Association, of which I suppose he sends you a copy.

My mother is confined to her room, and Mrs. H. has something like the rheumatism in her head. The rest are well. Give their love to Mrs. B., as well as that of

Your friend,

EBEN. HAZARD.

4

VOL. II.

HAZARD TO BELKNAP.

NEW YORK, July 3, 1788.

MY DEAR SIR, -The ratification of the new Constitution by New Hampshire was an important and very pleasing event; and she has acquired by it the honour of being the keystone of the Federal arch. She has fairly got to windward of the Ancient Dominion, and added to the honour of New England. You will see, by the enclosed, that the Dominion is on the same side of the question. Where New York will be, nobody knows. Appearances at present seem to indicate an intention to adjourn, under an idea of consulting constituents, which may furnish a reason for adopting at the next meeting. Your professor has behaved badly indeed. "He that makes haste to be rich shall not be innocent," is an assertion which is often verified. It is strange that men cannot be satisfied with honestly acquired wealth. Think of honest Robert, and help him all you can. Have you ever heard of the coal tar? I send you a pamphlet upon the subject, to add to your collection. Have you ever seen Major Washington's Journal, kept by him in 1753, when the Governour of Virginia sent him to the French Commandant on Ohio?* Mr. Morse has lent me it, and says he will lend it to you, if you have not seen it.

Sam is worrying me to go and walk with him. What proficiency has Jo made?

My mother continues to be very ill. Mrs. H. and the rest are well. We all love you and yours sincerely.

There are to be wonderful works in Philadelphia tomorrow, and we mean to make some uproar here. I am, dear sir, EBEN. HAZARD.

Yours,

* See Vol. I. p. 164. — Eps.

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