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wish. The name of Mr. Hazard did not need to be thus satellited.

My son is yet very weak, and seems to grow weaker. Heaven only knows when and how it will end. I rejoice that your children are recovered of the measles. God grant them and you, and your dear consort, health and prosperity. Mrs. B. joins in the wish with your affectionate JERE. BELKNAP.

P. S. Our Senators are chosen, but I have not the honour of being acquainted with either of them; and I suppose the gentleman who will be chosen Representative for this district to Congress will not be of my acquaintance.

HAZARD TO BELKNAP.

NEW YORK, Dec. 27, 1788.

MY DEAR SIR,-I have just received yours of 20th. As to the Note, the Monarch wrote to Spot. or Dal., to know if he might print (I think) the remarks about Soto in his, to which a reply was made, which intimated the sacredness of property (an idea the Monarch has been fond of inculating), and that they could not consent to a republication, unless he would allow them something for the permission; nor even then, without consulting the writer, to know whether it would be agreeable to him. I understood this (in substance) from the Monarch, who told me he intended to write to Dal. on the subject of property, which, from the Note, I suspect he did.

I am very sorry, too, that my collection cannot appear per se; but so it is. You know it would not do for me to risk an edition of so large a work (for I suppose it will make 2 volumes in folio); and I could not do it, if I were disposed for it. There was no relying on aid from any public body; for men who either cannot, or will not, be

just, must not be expected to be generous, especially by one who has more than once been treated with indignity, and upon whom to trample has lately appeared to be meritorious. In short, I could have no expectations from any foreign quarter, and could not do the needful myself; so that I was reduced to the alternative of doing as I did, or running the risque of losing all my labour and expence. With you and some others, the name of H. would be considered as a primary planet; but I apprehend many would think it inferior even to a "Satellite." I cannot feel as if I was a person of any consequence, except to my own family.

We are sorry to hear that your son is yet so ill.

You will receive a packet from Spotswood herewith.

I forget what you asked me about Judge Symmes, and have not time now to look over your letters, but will bear it on my mind.

Did you ever see Winthrop's Journal? Part of it is too indecent for the public eye, and must be suppressed, such as the question, "An contactus et fricatio," &c., which you sent me formerly.

When will you want the continuation of Elliot? Inter nos, I suspect the Charlestown folks will have to build an house ere long.

Love to Mrs. B. from Mrs. H. and

Your friend,

EBEN. HAZARD.

I will give Campus Martius to Platt. I am in doubt about Holstein, whether it is in Virginia or North Carolina. The Mariettans, I believe, are safe enough.

BELKNAP TO HAZARD.

BOSTON, January 3, 1789.

MY DEAR SIR, -It often happens that I am so weary with preparing enclosures for the letters which I write to you, that I am obliged to apologize for the brevity of what I write you. As you are a man of business, you can easily see the propriety and even necessity of this. However, I suspect, from what labours in my noddle, that this will not be a very short one; though, in fact, I am weary, having been sitting the whole week, except once that I was dragged out to dine, and one evening to sup.

you,

You cautioned me in your last not to be quick in rejecting a proposal of N. W. to be a partner in the American Magazine. Yesterday I had occasion to put your advice in practice. He appeared, and surprized me with a question, which I was at a loss to answer; for I had no suspicion that any person but yourself was, or would be, privy to my being applied to as a writer in that work. However, I got over my surprize, and told him what I had told you in answer, which was only an hypothetical one. He then made the proposal, which I have, as the lawyers phrase it, and as you advised, "hung up." To be free with my dear sir, I have trusted you with all my literary concerns, and by the enclosed you will see that I am cautious of making any farther engagement with the Columbians ; and yet, as I have been treated well by them, am loth to quit them abruptly. Were it put to my choice, without any solicitation from any quarter, I would finish my History of New Hampshire before I engage any farther; but I am solicited three ways at once, - by N. W., by the Columbians, and by Thomas. Were it possible to unite all these interests in one, I should not scruple to "cast in my lot," not, however, without assuring you that, if N. W. was unsupported by you, I should wish to have no con

cern with him. I hope he is sensible that he derives a degree of respectability from his connexion with you, that he could not have without; but no more of this.

He says he has talked with Thomas, and offered him a share or shares in the proposed work, and that Thomas listens to the offer. Perhaps he has suspended it, as I have done, for farther consideration. At best, it is all at present undetermined. Now, if it be not too late, let me add this to the plan: that, as Mr. Trenchard is become sole proprietor of the Columbian Magazine, and is an engraver, what if he should be applied to (in case Thomas comes in) to take a share, and furnish the engravings. Then let the engravings be done at Philadelphia, the Register be printed at New York, and the Magazine here by Thomas; the two last ideas are from N. W. But I said nothing to him about the former. I do not think myself a proper person to say any thing to Trenchard about it; but, if you think it proper, you may, and, if he can be brought in, all matters may be compromised. I would not have him imbibe a notion that I am going to quit. him, if he should decline this invitation; but I should like to have it suggested to him that I have been applied to, and have suspended my answer till it can be known whether he will join or not. These things I submit to you: you will know how to conduct them much better than myself.

6 o'clock.

Yours of the 27th is just come in. I now understand the Note to Correspondents. Apropos of property, have not I a property in the biographical pieces which have already appeared in the Columbian? Of what sort is it? Is it wholly mine, or partly mine and partly Spotswood's? Suppose I was to want to reprint them, in a larger collection of "Lives," must I ask his leave?

What I said about Judge Symmes was that I had heard he had written something respecting the ancient fortifi

cations, or rather about that part of the country being possessed by a race of Indians prior to that which was on the spot when America was first known to the Europeans. I think the letter was written to the Secretary of Congress, and I wished either to have a copy of it, or that it might be printed. I should be glad to have the continuation of Elliot, whenever you can give it me. If I continue the biographical work, I suppose I shall next go upon Roger Williams. Have you any thing about him?

My son is yet very low; his weakness increases, his ulcer is yet open, and there is the appearance of another. His mother has not been out of the chamber, more than a quarter of an hour at a time, this month. Love to Mrs. Hazard.

Yours affectionately,

J. B.

HAZARD TO BELKNAP.

NEW YORK, January 11, 1789.

DEAR SIR, I want to write you very particularly, but cannot before next post. N. W. has got nothing about you from me, and, I believe, only suspects. "Festina lente!"

Yours,

HAZARD TO BELKNAP.

EBEN. HAZARD.

NEW YORK, January 13, 1789.

MY DEAR SIR,-I wrote you a very hasty line last Sabbath. Now I intend to be more particular. The reason why I "cautioned you not to be quick in rejecting a pro

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