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ever met with. How is the Society going on? Do they continue their publications? It is a long time since I have received any of them.

It has grieved me not a little that I have not been able to write to you as formerly, and to continue a correspondence from which I derived both pleasure and information; but it has been absolutely out of my power. It is not necessary that our hours of business should be such as they are, and I have tried to get them altered, so as to give me a little time for recreation; but I have not succeeded, and must be content still to be a drudge. I have, however, sometimes the pleasure of hearing of you, by one and another, from Boston.

You will see, by the papers, that the aspect of our public affairs is very unpleasant. What the issue will be, human wisdom cannot foresee; but I hope it will be for our benefit, in some way or other.

Dr. Barton has been publishing new views of the Indians, of which he will doubtless inform you. I have not yet seen his work.

Mrs. Hazard and family, Cornelia, and your other friends here, are well. My rib unites with me in affection for yourself, Mrs. Belknap, and family. How do you all do? The Judge has the gout more than half his time. I have just recovered from a fit of it.

I fear the stage will be gone, and must therefore bid you hastily adieu.

EBEN. HAZARD.

P. S. The bank-note is at the titlepage of the book.

BELKNAP TO HAZARD.

BOSTON, August 4, 1797.

you is a great Your present

MY VERY DEAR FRIEND, — A letter from rarity, but not the less welcome for that. to the Historical Society is very acceptable, and in their name I give you their thanks, for which, as their Secretary, I have a standing order. The Apology of John Robinson is a precious curiosity, and to me nothing could be more grateful; for I have been looking over Daniel Neal and Robert Baylie to find fragments of it in Latin, and could get but a very small part. Now I have the whole, and can introduce what I please of it into the American Biography, in which his Life must make a conspicuous figure, as the Father of the Church of Plymouth.

Your 20 dollar bill is an original present to the Society, and I wish it may be copied by others. We, I mean Resident Members, have been long struggling with the payment of expences for former publications, and for two years past have been obliged to discontinue them, not for want of matter nor zeal, but of encouragement from the public.

I hope we shall soon make another attempt; and, in that case, we shall solicit help from every part of the continent where we have Corresponding Members. It is in our power to furnish the public'with much information, by republishing scarce and valuable pieces, and communicating original matter, which frequently comes into our hands, and would come more frequently, if the publication could be renewed and continued.

I regret much that our correspondence has been so interrupted by my infirmities and your business. It will always be a pleasure to me to renew and keep it up, when I am able, and have opportunity. It gives me pleasure to hear from you, from Mrs. Hazard and Cornelia. To them please to present my very affectionate regards, and the

same from my family. Dr. Barton has sent his book on the Indian languages. It is laborious and curious. I have written him a letter of thanks, and have enclosed a specimen of the Penobscot language, which he has not seen, I presume, before. I hear that there is a History of Pennsylvania preparing for the press.* Do you know what is, or is likely to be, its merit, and by whom it is written? With much respect and esteem, I am, dear sir,

Your friend and humble servant,

JEREMY BELKNAP.

BELKNAP TO HAZARD.

BOSTON, March 22, 1798.

DEAR SIR, I think the last time I heard from you was when you sent 20 dollars to the Historical Society. The acknowledgment, which was publickly made, of the receipt of this money, has stimulated several other members of the Society to do something handsome in the way of presents; and one gentleman in particular has put some money into my hands, to be laid out according to my discretion. I have already bought several valuable books with a part of it, and the remainder is still at my disposal.

Some years ago you sent me a list of pamphlets and newspapers, which you had collected, and which you said you were willing to dispose of. Among them was Rivington's Royal Gazette, printed in New York whilst it was in possession of the British. Have you that book now? and, if you have, what is the lowest price that you will take for it? Have you also Smith's History of New Jersey? or can you procure it for us? Pray let me know, by Dr. Morse, and the price of it.

The 2d volume of my Biography will go to the press, I

* The History of Pennsylvania, by Robert Proud, in two volumes, 1797 and 1798, is probably the one referred to as in preparation. — EDS.

hope, in all the month of May. We have resumed the publication of the Collections, and a number is now ready, one of which I hope Dr. Morse will bring with him.

I sent three subscription papers, under Mr. Secretary Wolcott's cover, one of which was directed to you, one to Dr. Barton, and the other to Mr. Wolcott.

If you inquire about my health, it is better, on the whole, than it was a year ago, though I am, and always expect to be, an invalid.

With my best regards to your lady and family, and all my friends with you, I am, dear sir,

Your friend and humble servant,

JEREMY BELKNAP.*

HAZARD TO BELKNAP.

PHILADELPHIA, April 15, 1798.

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MY DEAR FRIEND, Dr. Morse delivered me your very acceptable favour of 22d ultimo; and, though it is near 12 o'clock at night (and I am in my bed-chamber), I cannot let so good an opportunity pass without dropping you a line. I am happy that my small donation to the Society has had so good an effect, and cannot but hope that so valuable an institution will meet with proper encouragement. It is of importance that its Collections should be published. I have desired Dr. Morse to have me entered in the list as a subscriber for two copies. I have Rivington's Royal Gazette yet, but it forms a part of a large collection of newspapers, which I wish not to break. Smith's History of New Jersey also forms a part of my library. It is not to be disposed of; but, in consequence of your hint, I will enquire for one for the Society.

I am glad to find you are encouraged to publish a 2d

* On the back of this letter is written in pencil: "He died June, 1798, buried 22d. His son John sent the particulars in a letter to my father, dated June 28.” Eps.

volume of your Biography. If it is to be published by subscription, add my name to the list.

The subscription paper for the Society's Collections was delivered to me, but I have not been able to procure any subscribers. I think, notwithstanding, that some few copies (in volumes) will sell. Dr. Morse brought me the lately published number.

Mrs. H. (though in bed) desires me to send her respects to Dr. and Mrs. Belknap. She is joined in all her good wishes for you both by

Your friend,

EBEN. HAZARD.

HAZARD TO JOHN BELKNAP.

PHILADELPHIA, May 12, 1800.

SIR,It is so long since you favoured me with a letter that I am almost ashamed to acknowledge its having ever been received; but an unfortunate accident has occasioned my silence. The letter got mislaid amongst some of the office papers, and, though great pains were taken to find it, I have not been able to lay my hands on it till very lately.

I was much affected by the news of your good father's death. He was one of my most intimate friends.

I do not recollect any unfinished business of mine that was in his hands, unless he might have some of my Historical Collections unsold; but I rather incline to think he put them into the hands of Mr. David West. The cash part of his account against me was settled by a remittance I made of the balance (being $1.53) in July, 1796, by John Davis, Esq. Since that time we have had no cash transactions; but I have remaining on hand one copy of the 1st, and nine copies of the 3d, volumes of the History of New Hampshire.

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