to be as little as possible in public life, except in my mercantile capacity; and all the time I can redeem, is requisite to keep up spiritual life.

The Quebec bill has been a fine subject for opposition; though it is said to have given no advantage to the Roman Catholics, but what they were entitled to by their capitulation. I have just received an account of some books I sent there; and I transmit you some of the most striking particulars of what was written from thence. I shall be glad to hear Mr. Frisbie has been there, and visited them, as I think his visit will be seasonable.

Lord Dartmouth and Lord Mansfield have, at my request, interested themselves for her son-in-law, SC serjeant of the 10th regiment of foot; that I have a good hope he will be promoted by a proper opportunity and I shall rejoice at it; as his wife was so tender and affectionate to her aged mother.

I have just been desired to send some books to Corse, as there seems to be a work begun on the peninsula of Purbeck, in Dorsetshire.

I purpose, by this opportunity, sending you a few books, such as I think calculated for usefulness; some of which I printed; and I will, at any time supply you with more.

I know not how to conclude better, than with good old Jabez, praying, that the God of Israel may bless you indeed, enlarge your coast, and his hand be with and keep you from all evil; that it may not grieve you. I trust we shall often be mindful of one another, and soon meet to be forever with the Lord.

That he may shine more upon you and yours, and all your connexions, is the fervent prayer of,

Dear and Rev. Sir,

Yours affectionately,

upon

JOHN THORNTON.

To David McClure, then residing in Portsmouth, N. H.

I have not time to write you, or I would attempt to avail you of the progress and state of my affairs here.

We find a formidable combination to introduce profaneness, licentiousness, and intemperance into this Seminary; and the influence of gentlemen of such a character upon the students has been surprisingly great, beyond what I could have thought. Several promising youth appear to have been ruined by them. I was shocked at seeing the progress they had made in that road, on my return from my late journey. I found a necessity to exert myself beyond what I ever had before had occasion for, and have dismissed a number. Since which we seem to be returned to our old state of peace and quiet. This has made a terrible smother, and filled the country with slanders and lies.

I have heard nothing from Mr. Frisbie since he left Crown Point. We have good news of numbers in Canada turning protestants.

My farming affairs go on well, and look very prosperous. I hope in two years more the college will be entirely independent. I long to see you much,-should be glad of a line when you can, and thank you

for

past

favors.

I am yet full and crowded with business every day, and almost every hour and minute. Through pure mercy, I have considerably gained my health. Dr. Crane is my epistle, to whom I must. refer you for all the rest, except that I am,

Yours very affectionately,

ELEAZAR WHEELOCK.

From His Excellency Governor Wentworth.

My Dear and' Rev. Friend,

Portsmouth, Oct. 28, 1774.

The public affairs, which have hitherto so engaged me, as to prevent my writing you lately, now leave me only an hurried moment to present my best respects to you.

The charter of incorporation for Landaff, will be completed before next post. Poor Mr. J's illness has delayed it.

In a letter from Paul Wentworth, Esq. he says, "The instruments for Dartmouth College are making under the inspection of Dr. Sand Dr. P―, by R- -y, who is so incomparably the best hand in Europe, that it would be a crime, in such a case, not to prefer him to the persons you mention. I have mentioned the subscription to Lord Dartmouth, who has promised me his support. These things shall be shipped in the fall ships, or in the spring early, with something of my own, toward a library."

I think we may rely on having the most perfect apparatus, and a liberal addition to Col. Phillips' donation.

I shall not cease to study the interest of Dartmouth College, as the best service to the province. Whenever any thing arrives for the College, I will take care you shall be notified, and proper attention had to their safety.

May the best of heaven's blessings, here or hereafter, attend you and yours, is ever the prayer of, my dear Sir,

Your affectionate friend,

JOHN WENTWORTH.

P. S. I have given the Rev. Dr. Pomeroy, my good friend, one or two rights of land, in Millfield or Erroll, or both. I wish more was in my power.

To John Thornton, Esquire.

Dartmouth College, Nov. 10, 1774.

Very Dear and much Honored Sir,

Your kind favor of July 22d, full of affecting and endearing expressions of benevolence, came to hand the 4th inst. And I am much affected, that the drafts I have made for this school so much overrun the fund, as your account informed me they do, and I feared they would, unless additions had been made, as was hoped there would be. I expected to have been seasonably advised when I had near run out. I am glad the cause is in your hands, and hope, by some means, the difficulty may be accommodated without your protesting a bill. I drew for no more than appeared quite necessary; and have used my best skill and prudence in laying it out; and through divine goodness I am not left in distress. A seasonable donation of Col. Phillips', last commencement, of £450 sterling, is à surprising instance of the care of heaven. I fear also you wonder; that I have drawn so largely on you, for my own necessities. I do not affect grandeur, nor would I accept a gift to support higher living, than just what is for comfort and decency. My family is large, and exposed to much company; and, you understand, have been under all the disadvantages of settling in the wilderness; and not able to make sale of my patrimony which I left in Connecticut. I am about £250 sterl ing yet in debt for building, and a little land I was obliged to buy for my own conveniency, and some improvement I have made upon my own land, which, I hope soon, to reap some benefit from. And, honored Sir, if I were not overwhelmed by the largeness of your munificence (which has been the principal means of my support since I left Connecticut; and that without which, unless providence had opened another door for it than ever appeared, I could not have subsisted through such a scene of affairs as God has led me) I would humbly mention to you, that, as we hear the Congress at Philadelphia have unanimously agreed on a non-importation from England, which

will likely take place soon, you cannot, at present, oblige me, my family and school more, than by such articles as plain cloths, &c. as will be necessary in our situation. And, that I may escape the displeasure of the Colonies, by sending them as a present to me or the school, to the care of Mr. Jonathan Mason of Boston. But I even blush at that which looks so much like crowding upon a friend; although you do, my dear Sir, appear to have the genuine marks of a good steward of the manifold grace of God; and as such I bless God on your behalf, and should, do so if advantage to me was wholly out of the case. Your eye is single, and your heart is enlarged towards the cause of the Redeemer. And, I make no doubt, this cause, which is the object you have so much fixed upon to encourage, is indeed near to him, and, for his sake, worthy all that attention and respect for which you have so distinguished yourself. It is his cause; and I may say, so far as I am able to know or judge, it is above any thing of the nature, at present, in this land; the joy and hope of God's children.

I heartily thank you for your prudent, judicious, and well adapted letter to my students. It was received with universal expressions of gratitude and respect. I believe it will do good: and I here enclose their answer. And I humbly beg a repetition of the favor, as your occasions will allow; as your name and influence here is great.

I thank you also for your enclosed copies of the account of a revival of the work of God at Chester-from the good woman at Quebec, and the conversion of the Tuscarora squaw. All which were refreshing.

The missionaries returned some weeks ago. Mr. Dean was stopped in his progress, by news of hostilities committed, and others designed by tribes, in his way to Detroit. Mr. Frisbie visited and preached to the little nest of christians at Quebec; and was pleased to find such appearances of real religion, in that very wicked, blind, deluded province. They left Thomas