My Dear Sir, — I am happy to have an opportunity to present you the enclosed paper, and hope Divine Providence will afford you that " wisdom which is profitable to direct; " and, be assured, sir, that nothing in my power shall ever be wanting to make the connection happy. I am, Yours, &c, Francis Wright. HAZARD TO BELKNAP. New York, February 3, 1787. Dear Sir, — I wrote you lately a long letter about printing and publishing; since then, I have heard again from Mr. Carey, who writes me, January 23d, as follows: "At a meeting of the proprietors of the Magazine, held the 10th inst., it was determined to offer Mr. Belknap £100 for the editorship of the Magazine per annum, including writing, compiling, and revising. If that salary, which appears to me a liberal one, and worthy of him and them, be sufficient inducement for Mr. Belknap's removal to this city, the sooner he makes it convenient to come, the more agreeable it will be to them. It will doubtless prove an additional inducement that they engage themselves for one yiear certain. I have to add, on my own account, a further reason. If no one anticipates me, I mean to publish an American Annual Register, and to begin as soon as I can make the necessary arrangements, which I presume will be in five or six months. For the historical part, I shall chearf ully allow Mr. Belknap, if he undertakes it, about 20 guineas per annum. This, joined to the other salary, would, independent of what a man of Mr. Belknap's talents would be able to provide otherwise, in such a city as Philadelphia, afford a pretty genteel income." As the above may assist you in forming an opinion, I think it necessary to transmit it, though I have nothing more to add than that, with sincere regards to Mrs. B., in which Mrs. H. joins, I am, Yours affectionately, Eben. Hazard. BELKNAP TO HAZARD. February 7,1787. My Dear Sir, — I wish the enclosed may go on as soon as possible, as it relates to some things which I have sent by sea, and I wish it may arrive before the vessell. Since I finished my other letter, the General Court have done their duty by declaring a rebellion to exist. Shays decamped from Pelham Saturday night, his post having been reconnoitred the day before in order to an attack. He is fled northward. Lincoln is pursuing, has taken many prisoners, but none of the greatest rogues yet, as we have heard. I am this day setting out for Dover, to bring my family here in a sleigh, and hope to be here again next week. My best regards to Mrs. Hazard and your mother, and I am, dear sir, Your affectionate friend, Jere. Belknap. I have seen "Alderman Hazard" mentioned in the papers under the New York head. Pray who is he? BELKNAP TO HAZARD. Boston, February 16, 1787. My Dear Sir, — 1 arrived here safe with my family the evening before last; and this day Mr. Hastings delivered me your favour of the 3d inst., which had been to Portsmouth, and returned here by that worthy, good, and obliging friend, Mr. Libbey. The answer which I gave to your former letter on the subject of "printing and publishing," and removing to Philadelphia, and which you had not received at the time of writing this, necessarily supersedes a particular answer to it. I cannot, however, forbear expressing my satisfaction with Mr. Carey's plan for an " American Annual Register/' It is what I have long projected, and wished to have a hand in accomplishing; and, as my situation in this metropolis will give me an opportunity of acquiring considerable information, if Mr. Carey thinks proper to employ me, I will, attend to the matter in earnest, as far as I am able, and shall be glad to hold a correspondence with him, if he shall think proper to begin. Please to present him my respectful compliments. Mrs. Belknap joins me in the most cordial salutations to Mrs. Hazard. Your kind attention and concern on my account make a deep impression on her heart, as well as on that of, dear sir, Your very affectionate and obliged friend, Jeremy Belknap. P. S. What I have said above is not intended as if I would decline having a share in the Magazine, but the editorship I cannot undertake. Pray let me know how long the Magazine has been set a-going. HAZARD TO BELKNAP. New York, February 17,1787. My Dear Sir, — I am happy to learn by yours of 2d inst. that you are once more likely to be settled again. My anxiety on your account has not been small; but I pleased myself with the thought that ere long I should see you decently fixed in Philadelphia, as the offers from thence were growing more and more respectable. In this I have been disappointed. However, Providence orders matters best; and, though you might probably have got more money in Philadelphia, you will have the satisfaction of being among your relations and intimate friends in Boston, which could not have been the case there. The enclosed, which you see contains an additional offer, came to hand I think the very day I received yours informing me of the call. I wrote by first post to Mr. Carey, and enclosed your extra letter, desiring him to communicate the contents to Mr. Spotswood, lest he should be disappointed by waiting for your answer. I think you should answer his letter, notwithstanding. The salary the congregation gives you is small; but I doubt not they will add to it by kind attentions in a private way, and I hope to get some guineas for you from Philadelphia, too. Carey must have had my letter upon this subject a day or two; but there has not yet been time for me to receive an answer. Five Nos. of the Magazine, and one of the Musseum, .have been published: I send you the latter, but have ne'er a spare copy of the former. I am happy to find that the rebellion in Massachusetts is so nearly crushed: it will have a good effect throughout the Union. Boston bank-bills will not answer to remit, either to this city or Philadelphia; but we can turn them in this way: If I knew the amount, I could draw on you for it, payable in Boston, and receive the money here for my draught; I could then order payment of the same amount to be made in Philadelphia. If this will answer your purpose, let me know what sum to draw for, and it shall be done. Yours of 7th inst. arrived in good season. I sent the enclosed for Josey to Philadelphia a few hours after I received it. "Alderman Hazard" is one of my cousins; he was put into office at the last election. This, I suppose, will find you at home in Boston, and Mrs. B. with you: if so, congratulate her, in behalf of Mrs. H. and myself, upon her resettlement in a Christian country. My mother joins us in wishing you both (with your family) health, happiness, and every other blessing. I am, dear sir, Yours affectionately, Eben. Hazard. BELKNAP TO HAZARD. Boston, February 27, 1787. My Dear Sir, — Your kind favour of the 17th inst. came to hand Saturday evening, inclosing one from Mr. Spotswood, and No. 1 of the Museum. I think it will be in my power to contribute largely toward that work. Mr. SpotswTood's letter shall be answered. Had I not received my invitation from the congregation here previous to the letters from you and from Philadelphia, I should have been strongly tempted to a removal southward; but it seems as if Divine Providence had laid a prohibition on a farther removal, and I believe it is best, for J have a prospect of being continued in a line of usefulness which grows more familiar and agreeable by experience, and from which I cannot think it expedient to depart on account of any lucrative views, though I have not such an idea as some gentlemen have of the indelible character annexed to the clerical profession. I have one special inducement to form a connexion with the Brethren of the Type in Philadelphia, which you will easily guess, when you reflect on the situation in which my son is placed. An attachment to the parent may be of some service to the son: therefore, my dear sir, whatever opening these gentlemen may give me shall be improved to the best purpose, and I wish for your influence and advice in the matter. With respect to the bank-bills, I did not ask because I had any sum by me, but merely to know whether that species of pay would |
