portant contributions he made to the department of history, in his valuable "Historical Collections," have been already referred to. After the establishment of the Massachusetts Historical Society, Mr. Hazard was one of its earliest corresponding members, his name standing at the head of the first list of nominations made. He died in Philadelphia, 13th June, 1817.

Mr. Hazard married, on the 11th of September, 1783, Abigail Arthur, daughter of Joseph Arthur, of Boston. They had four children,- William Gordon, Samuel, Erskine, and Elizabeth Breese. She married the Rev. Thomas E. Vermilye, D.D., of the Reformed Dutch Church in New York. Samuel Hazard lived to a great age, and was well known for his numerous historical works.*

In an appendix to the second volume are published the letters addressed to Dr. Belknap in answer to the queries of Judge Tucker, relating to slavery in Massachusetts. Following these are several other letters and documents, which illustrate the general subject. A prefatory note to these papers will give the necessary explanation.

The Publishing Committee will add, in conclusion, that they have not proposed to themselves any elaborate annotation of these volumes. The letters did not seem to require it. A few notes have been made. The Christian names of many persons introduced into the correspondence without those important prefixes have been supplied, where they could be ascertained, in an excellent index, placed at the end of the second volume; and this plan has seemed to obviate the necessity of more frequent foot

notes.

CHARLES DEANE,

For the Publishing Committee.

BOSTON, Dec. 1, 1876.

* A large part of the material for this sketch of the life of Mr. Hazard was kindly communicated by Mr. Willis P. Hazard, a son of Mr: Samuel Hazard, residing in West Chester, Penn.

RESIDENT MEMBERS,

AT THE DATE OF THE PUBLICATION OF THIS VOLUME, IN THE ORDER OF

THEIR ELECTION.