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which I think the Quakers themselves must be ashamed

of.

Is not Bartram's work a curiosity?

The paddle removes the difficulty. How under heaven did that pop into your head? If the Virginians had recollected it, they might have saved themselves some trouble.

Fleet's Register is received, for which I thank both you and him. Hopkins's papers shall be sent you as soon as I can spare them.

It is probable that Colonel Pickering subscribed for your 1st volume, and I am persuaded he will not blame you for considering him as a subscriber.

I made a difference between subscribers and non-subscribers for several reasons. Subscribers encouraged the work by actually paying money in advance, for which they ought to have some consideration. They were under engagements to take the books, and you were under obligations to let them have them at a certain price. This was not the case with non-subscribers, and it was right to make them pay something towards the freight. Vaughan never subscribed, that I know of; but he took a sett, and told me that he should take several more when the work is complete. I am not acquainted with William Martin.

Notwithstanding your explanation, I do not quite approve the bargain about the "Foresters," because it may so happen that the sales may just pay the expence of the paper, and then you will get nothing for your labour. It is true that Master Type will get nothing for printing, but I do not think the printing equal in value to the composing. However, if you are satisfied, I am.

I hope

It seems that Mrs. Belknap's conjectures about her neighbour at Charlestown were well founded. Jedediah will not be as lavish of names as he was before,

or that he will, at least, leave one for us.

like buckwheat cakes?

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How do you

April 21.

No. 14 of the Apollo has arrived, but there are no

tidings of 8 or 13 yet.

Young offered but 30 dollars per 1,000 for the Maps, you finding paper. This I think too little. If you will take that, you may send out 1,500; but I do not advise to it, because I do not think the profit adequate to the trouble, and it looks like undervaluing your own work.

In your 2d volume, p. 124, you mention the salary as being £600, and perquisites £200, equal to about 800 dollars per annum. Is there not an error there?

You have doubtless heard of the failures at New York. How emphatically have riches made to themselves wings and flown away! We are told it is difficult to have an idea of the distress which has taken place; and all seems to originate from one man, who had no claim to half the credit he possessed. John Pintard and Royal Flint (both of whom I believe you know) are among the ruined. The evil has reached this city: some bankruptcies have taken place, more are expected, and many people will be very much hurt. A kind Providence has so effectually taken care of Jonas and me, that we escape untouched.

About three weeks ago I sprained my foot, which still continues tender. It brought on a slight touch of the gout, but I am able to hobble about town. It happens unfortunately, as I have been pulling down a couple of old houses to make room for a new one, and it is necessary to attend to the workmen. I hope to have my house ready for our reception this fall. It is to be "a fair brick house," like that Sir William Phipps determined to own.

My 1st volume is published. A vessel will sail for Boston early in next week, by which you will receive your quota, say 50. Mr. Morse has subscribed for three please to make him a present of another. Request Mr. Walcutt's acceptance of one, with my compliments, and

thanks for the assistance he afforded me. From the appearance of my materials, I expect there will be four volumes instead of two. My writing spreads amazingly in print. The price of the volume, in boards, is 4 dollars and a quarter, and 1 dollar is to be paid in advance towards the 2d volume.

As a whole volume is published, I send none in numbers; but, if subscribers prefer numbers, please to inform me, and they shall be sent.

April 29.

My foot is well, but weak. No Apollo since No. 14. This is to go early to-morrow morning, by young Mr. Bromfield, of Charlestown. The enclosed was occasioned by Elihu Palmer's advertising in the newspaper that he intended to preach against the divinity of Jesus Christ. Mrs. H. sends love to Mrs. B. So does

Your friend,

EBEN. HAZARD.

HAZARD TO BELKNAP.

PHILADELPHIA, May 8, 1792.

MY DEAR SIR, I wrote to you a few days ago, since which I have received none from you.

The binders are so much hurried that they have not been able to get my books done so as to send to distant subscribers as soon as I wished. However, Mr. Dobson informs me this morning that he shall send some to Boston this week. I have directed him to send 50, and address them to you. Mr. Morse subscribed for three: these he will pay for, and I will thank you to inform him that the one I sent him by young Mr. Bromfield is a token of friendship. As I have already done it, you need not pay any attention to that part of my former letter in which I desired you to give him one. Our friend Jerry Libbey subscribed for one, for the Portsmouth Library: you will

please to supply that. It will be proper to advertise the book for sale in the paper that circulates most. Russel has a claim upon my gratitude; and the sons of Apollo, being young beginners, ought to be assisted. Apropos, I have no Apollo since No. 14.

William Ellery, Esq., formerly member of Congress, and Jacob Richardson, Esq., postmaster, Newport, Rhode Island, are subscribers. I must refer them to you for their books. The price is four dollars and a quarter for the first volume, and a dollar to be paid in advance towards the 2d.*

I have 9 of your 1st volumes, and not one of your 2d, remaining. It is probable that more will sell. Send on some more, and I will do what I can to help you.

Congress are to adjourn to-day. This is to go by our friend Wingate.

Please to present one of my books to the Academy of Arts and Sciences, as a contribution to their common stock from one of their members.

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DEAR SIR, After a long, very long intermission, your favour of the 13th ultimo, by Mr. Bromfield, came to hand this P.M., just as I had finished packing up 20 copies of my 3d volume, to be sent by the schooner Isabella, Abijah Luce, master. Of these you will be so good as to present one to the Philosophical Society, and deposit one in the office of Secretary Jefferson, taking a receipt. I

* A list, in Dr. Belknap's hand, of the subscribers in Boston and its vicinity to Hazard's "Historical Collections," is appended to this letter. - EDs.

have thought whether it would not be as well for me, and you, and Scotus, that (excepting what books are to be delivered to subscribers, who have paid advance) an offer should be made to Scotus to take the books on account, allowing him a discount of 10 per cent, which our booksellers say is the customary commission. If you approve this mode, put it into execution. For the sake of getting 'wholly rid of his debt, I will consent to let Young have the maps at 4 dollars per hundred, or even 31, if you cannot get him to give 4, and I have written to him to apply to you again. They shall be printed on such paper as those in the 2d volume, which you now have; and I beg to know as soon as possible, viz. per post, whether you make a bargain or not, because that paper must very soon be put to some other use, if not to this.

In page 225 of the 3d volume, you will see, by the table of the value of silver in Governour Belcher's time, that there is no mistake about his salary and perquisites.

I shall expect your books very soon, and will comply with your directions respecting them.

I am very happy to find that the crash among the speculators at New York has not affected you or Jonas. I find that he has been blamed by some of the fraternity for not being so sanguine an adventurer as they wished him to be; but medio tutissimus ibis is a good motto, and he now finds the benefit of it.

If Pintard is ruined, I am extremely sorry, because of his family, which I am sure needs a protector, and because he was friendly to me. He was my bookseller in New York, and paid me immediately for the whole parcel of the 1st and 2d volumes which I sent him, taking the distribution entirely to himself. Now I know not another person in the city to whom I can send the 3d volume. Can you recommend one to me? I send I send you the F.... rs in sheets. I know you will not quarrel with the names and character of the speculators in page

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