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State soon. To amuse you, in the mean time, I send you some more newspapers, among which you will find one printed in Charlestown since the enemy have had possession of it. From one of Clinton's proclamations, it appears as if all the opposition there had not ceased yet. I wish the exertions of Pennsylvania may stimulate other States to like laudable conduct. New York and NewT Jersey have been unaccountably neglected. For four years they have had to encounter all the horrors and difficulties of the war, and yet have been, in a great measure, depended upon to supply the army with provisions. Their towns are burned and their inhabitants murdered, and other States with indifference behold the flames, and are unaffected by the sight of even the reeking blood of their fellow-citizens. We have nothing new here. Remember me to Mrs. Belknap, and be assured of the inviolable attachment of your friend, Ebeist. Hazard.

BELKNAP TO HAZARD.

Dover, August 5, 1780.

Dear Sir, — Ever since your return from Philadelphia, I have delayed writing to you, expecting every week to see you in person, and acknowledge viva voce the receipt of your very curious and entertaining letter on natural subjects, containing some specimens of curious productions; another containing Mr. Penn's Life, and one or two covers of newspapers, — for all which I stand greatly indebted to your very kind attention. This expectation was so strong that I endeavoured as much'as possible to keep myself disengaged, especially on the Sabbath, that I might not be so much interrupted as I was last summer when you was here. I thought I had reason for this expectation, partly from my having divers times expressed in my letters a strong desire to see you here, but more particularly from your notifying me in three of your latest letters of your design speedily to call upon me in your tour this way. One of them fixed the week, but a subsequent one left the time uncertain. I heard nothing of your being in these parts until Friday, the 28th ult., when I was told by a gentleman (to whom I accidentally mentioned your name, when I was wishing for a pocket microscope to examine more accurately some vegetables which we met with in our walk) that he saw you at Portsmouth the beginning of that week. I then imagined you might be at Falmouth on your post business, and would call upon me in your way back, and I looked with particular eagerness for you on Saturday night. On Monday last, about one o'clock, a broken, second-hand message was delivered to me, as from Dr. Langdon (who passed through the town without calling), purporting "that he had seen Mr. Hazard at Mrs. Knights's ferry, that he intended coming here in the afternoon, but was disappointed of an horse.'' My own horse being then at pasture two miles off, I immediately borrowed one, mounted my chaise, and leaving my business, in which I was much engaged, rode express to the ferry, indulging the pleasing hope of seeing you, and if possible detaching you from the company with whom I imagined you were there spending the afternoon, that I might bring you home for at least one night. You may judge of my feelings when on my arrival I learnt that you had been there on a morning's ride, and was gone three hours before. It was not then in my power to proceed to Portsmouth, so I returned not much consoled by reflecting that a similar disappointment had been my lot last November, when you set out from Koxberry for the southward, the day before my coming to Boston. Before the situation of my domestic affairs would permit my leaving home again, I learnt„ by Dr. Buckminster that you were gone from Portsmouth finally. Had I known earlier last week that you were there, I should have strained a

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point to see you. I have been examining myself to see if there has been any thing in my conduct that could possibly lead you to a suspicion that I should not have been glad to see you, and I cannot find the shadow of any thing, except it be the omission of my writing since your return from Philadelphia; but of that I have given such a satisfactory account in the first part of this letter, that I am sure you must believe it could not be owing to any want of attention. Nor can my not coming to Portsmouth, while you were there, be so construed, unless you sent me any message before that by Dr. Langdon, for I certainly never heard you were there but at the times I have now mentioned. One thing, however, pleases me to hear, that your visit there was so very agreeable to several gentlemen of my acquaintance, particularly Mr. Stevens at Kittery, who speaks of you with much respect. I shall always rejoice in every thing that advances your reputation or increases your satisfaction and pleasure, and shall endeavour by every means in my power to forward your usefulness.

Mrs. B. was much disappointed as well as myself, but desires you to accept her cordial salutations, along with those expressions of esteem and respect which are ever due to you from

Your sincere obliged friend and servant,

Jeremy Belknap. To Ebebtezer Hazabd, Esq.

HAZARD TO BELKNAP.

Jamaica Plain, August 9,1780.

Keverend And Vert Dear Sir, — Business lately called me to Portsmouth, but I intended making the necessity I was under of going there subservient to pleasure too; and that of paying you a visit was one principal part of the satisfaction I expected. The plan I had formed was, after finishing my business at Portsmouth, to go to Dover, and from thence to where the copperas, grindstone, and Lapis specularis are found; but I was mortified by being disappointed in every part of it except the first. The importunity of friends kept me at Portsmouth, longer than I intended, but, notwithstanding that, I should have proceeded in my plan, had I not received letters from the westward which make it necessary for me to set out for Philadelphia as soon as ever my business here can be put in such a state as to admit of my leaving it. These obliged me to return hither without accomplishing my purpose, and I leave you to judge of my feelings under such a disappointment. Upon my return, I found here a number of newspapers from the westward, which I now enclose. My friend, to whom I wrote for the Principles of Politeness, has informed me that they are to be found in only one shop in Philadelphia; that they are bound up with other things, and the price is 400 dollars, for which reason he did not send them. Supposing you had .not seen "A Father's Legacy to his Daughters," I wrote for that at the same time. It accompanies this, and requests your acceptance. All I recollected about it was, that I was much pleased with it some years ago. Upon a cursory glance now, I suspect that, on account of your daughters' youth, it will be above their comprehension. But this difficulty may be removed by your explanations; or, if the pamphlet will not do to put into their hands at all at present, it may at least furnish hints for you to descant upon. Perhaps the general opinion would pronounce some of the amusements the Doctor recommends improper for a clergyman's daughter. As they are commonly used, I think them unsuitable for anybody; but I would not argue from the abuse of things, in themselves innocent, to the disuse of them. Dancing is not only innocent, but, properly practiced, is salutary exercise. Theatres under proper regulations and with judicious performers might afford much improvement, and be very useful; but it is so extremely difficult to keep them within due limits, that I think our legislatures have acted wisely in prohibiting them. They ought never to be admitted into a young country. The Doctor was certainly wrong in allowing his daughters in gaming, even with his proviso. If you have any girls in your parish to whom the pamphlet will be useful, do lend it to them. I am prompted to this request, by having been often hurt by the ignorance and indelicacy of country girls, who were by no means deficient in understanding, and whose beauty could not fail to attract attention. Will not the injustice of parents towards their daughters, with respect to education, be a material charge against them hereafter? Will you oblige me so much as to send me a transcript of the Hymn composed for Dr. B., beginning, "With vast amazement we survey," and the Doctor's, in answer to it? And now I am upon the begging plan I will add, another piece of the Lapis specularis, if you can get it conveniently. I gave the piece you formerly sent me to Mr. Rittenhouse, which rendered me unable to gratify Monsieur Marbois (the French minister's secretary), who has since applied to me for some. Since I wrote you last, I sent some pyrites and a piece of the asbestos to the "Academy of Arts and Sciences," for which they returned me a polite vote of thanks. I expect to set out for Philadelphia next Monday, and to stay there, if I can, till next spring; but as to this, I must be governed by circumstances. They have been such of late as to keep me almost constantly upon the trot, and I now wish for a little rest. Should I spend the winter in Philadelphia, my collection' will probably be increased by the addition of the Pennsylvania papers. Whether there or elsewhere I shall always be happy to hear from you. Mrs. Belknap and your friends in general share my best respects. Adieu, my dear sir.

I remain yours affectionately, Eben. Hazard. P. S. We have nothing new here.

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