HAZARD TO BELKNAP.

Philadelphia, May 14, 1782.

My Dear Sir, — As I am not in your debt, you are to consider this letter as a work of supererogation, and give credit for it accordingly. The principal design of it is to enclose you a copy of the " Oration in Praise of Knowledge.'' When you have read it, I wish you would let Mrs. Bracket and the Metropolitan's lady see it, as I think it may afford them some entertainment, notwithstanding its severity, especially as they are not subjects of the satire. You Dover folks are so " despert" plain that you will not be able to understand it, unless I tell you it is the fashion here for ladies to wear on their heads an enormous compages of cushions, rolls, pads, and curls, besides an almost immeasurable quantity of gauze. Besides all this, when they go abroad they put on a calash, which may be called a kind of bonnet, composed of silk and whalebone, so large as to cover all the rest, and in capacity about equal to a half-bushel. It is tied round the neck, and so completely envelopes the head that even an anxious bachelor can hardly get a peep at a virgin's face, if she wears a calash. When thrown back, they fall in folds, like the top of a chaise. So much for the head. The breasts are almost as much exposed as the face, or, if any thing is between them and the eye of the spectator, it is only a flimsy gauze, which is hardly an apology for a covering. The ladies' shoe-heels are very high. With this information, you will understand what you read. Oh, I forgot to tell you that the cane alludes to a custom which a lately imported lady attempted to introduce, in which she was imitated by one or two, but this does not seem to prevail, so that salvi sunt, credo, mariti.

The news you will see by the papers. It is hard to say what will be the consequence of a change in the Ministry, but I cannot help thinking that peace is upon the anvil. Yesterday, Congress gave a public audience to the French ambassador, who announced to them the birth of a Dauphin, inform. The parade was great, and the sight grand and pleasing. At night elegant fireworks were exhibited, when the concourse of people was amazingly great, perhaps superior to any here upon any former similar occasion. I think this portends nothing favourable to Sir Guy Carleton.

I intended sending you the Independent Gazetteer complete, as far as published, but cannot meet with the first number. The revolutionist is said to be- a physician; I suppose he expects a present of land in Vermont for his services. He ought to pay his readers for their trouble. I have read but one number and an half, and would as soon take any dose in his shop as read another half!

Mr. Eliot was here some time since, and preached to good acceptance. I believe if all the clergy were single men, more young women would go to Heaven than do now.

[One line wanting.]

HAZARD TO BELKNAP.

Philadelphia, June 5, 1782.

It was fortunate for me, my dear sir, that my last found you in so good a mood for copying, and I am much obliged to you for doing so much at that business, but I have not yet had time to read the Instructions. Your name is as good as anybody's for the authentication of a paper, and will have sufficient weight. I will be obliged to you for the "Articles of Capitulation.'' You shall have my sentiments of your thoughts on the population of America as soon as I can get leisure to collect them. They print so badly at Boston that I would not advise you to have your work done there. Its being badly done will injure the sale of the History, and consequently lessen your profits. As to your friend, what I had thoughts of for him was to keep something like an academy in this city, which I afterwards understood from Mr. Eliot was what was proposed at Boston. I think such a thing would do here, but whether better than at Boston I cannot judge. I will take the opinion of some friends upon my proposal, and let you hear farther hereafter. Why, did Mrs. B. write those verses? It is curious enough that they should be sent from hence for her opinion. I did not think enough was said about the children, of which you know country clergymen generally have their share, but now I can account for that circumstance. "Three or four years" make a material difference. You rightly observe that "it is better to laugh at our misfortunes than to sink under the pressure of them." However, after all, our share must be very great indeed, if we cannot find many persons who have a much greater, and by comparing our situation with theirs we shall find reason for gratitude.

The Oration in Praise of Knowledge was sent you a post or two ago. I have the Massachusetts Declaration of their right to land claimed by Mason and Gorges, dated September 6th, 1676.

Why did you not inform me that the Metropolitan* was . married? I have had a most rapturous letter from him upon the subject, which, were I as intimate with him as with you, would probably produce some laughable speculations.

Remember me to Mrs. B. Adieu. E. H.

BELKNAP TO HAZARD.

Boston, June 19,1782.

Dear Sir,—I got Mr. Hastings to open the Portsmouth mail yesterday, and by that means am possessed of yours

of 5th inst. My friend 's interest so much employs

my attention that I must first enter upon his affairs before I say any thing relating to other matters. He is at present in a state of suspense, having some faint expectation of things being settled upon the old foundation, and yet nothing that he can depend upon. The prospect which Mr. E. told you of is rather dubious, as every thing seems to have been relating to these matters. I am very much obliged to you for your very kind attention, and beg you to continue it, and write particularly and largely on the subject, but let the proposal at present be only hypothetical, that, in case of an accommodation on the old ground, there may be a decent and safe retreat, and yet a door opened in case of necessity. I know you have discretion and kindness enough to conduct such a matter, and I will give you all necessary and seasonable information.

Yes, she did write those lines, and I have now found out the channel in which they qame to you. There might be much addition with great truth and justice, but matters are now so serious that there is no disposition to merriment, besides I find that her health is impaired, and I tremble for the consequence. [But I beg] you not to say a word in answer to this latter circumstance. The reason I did not make particular mention of the Metropolitan's marriage was that I apprehended Mr. Fowle had informed you of it in his paper. It happened some time in March. They are now at housekeeping, and very happy. I have not yet had an opportunity of laying the Oration on Knowledge before the ladies. (By the way, did you not write it yourself?) It contains very just and seasonable satire, and I dare say they will be diverted with it.

You shall have the Louisbourg capitulation when I get home. I thank you for your advice about printing. There is a printer at Salem who shines in correctness, and I dare say, if he has good paper, will do very well. I have applied to him to know his terms, and expect an answer soon. I acknowledge the superiority of Philadelphia printing. When the work is ripe, I shall form my judgment of the best way of executing, and shall pay a particular deference to your advice. I have been this morning transcribing from the old records in the Senate Chamber concerning the "North Patent Line." You may have heard of a riot in the County of Hampshire, and the imprisonment of the ringleader, one Samuel Ely ? # He has since been rescued from Northampton gaol. In consequence of which the General Court here did the day before yesterday suspend the habeas corpus for six months within that County, and order out the posse comitatus to bring the rioters to Boston. These convulsions do not augur well to a newly and hardly established republican government.

You must excuse my not being more large. I am here much hurried, and am obliged to return this week. But, whether here or elsewhere, or in whatever circumstances, I shall ever be your very much obliged and sincerely grateful friend and servant, J. B.

To Ebenezer Hazard, Esq.

BELKNAP TO HAZARD.

June 27,1782.

Dear Sir, — Inclosed you have a copy of the Ratification of the Articles of Capitulation at Louisbourg in