351 Thomas Hollis to Benjamin Colman

    London, July 22, 1727

    Reverend Sir

    I wrote unto you the 14 April largely in answer unto yours then received—also to Mr. W. Welsted—in answer unto his and promised to send Dr. Gales222 books as he desired, which I did do by Capt. Carey. These letters I sent by the Ann, Capt. Jenkins, which ship I am now informed was taken by the Spaniards—so I suppose letters are lost—and a rich ship in which sundry of our Freinds are sufferers. I wrote againe to you 5 June in a box to Mr. Tresurer with 4 Books for College. I hope will arrive safe by Capt. Carey.

    I wrote to Mr. Tresurer July 11 by Capt. Shepperson with a box T. H. No. 24 with books for College. Pray look into the book of […]223 if fitt for College. If you think it is not pray dispose of it as you please. I think it is a good book for […]. You have alreddy Dr. Callamy’s 2 Vol.—Baxters life &c.224 and there being newly printed 2 Vol. by Supplement, I have sent them to compleat that Sett, and divers pamphlets in that box. I have received your letter dated 22 May. I am glad you gott so well off of the Fever you mentioned in your Province, and shall be glad if what is since mentioned in your newsletter from Connecticut may blow over as easily. I am glad my chests of Instruments for the Mathematical Professor were well arrived. Mr. Professor Emms called on me this week to know if they were arrived and well conditioned, of which I suppose I shall shortly heare. I am glad Mr. Lardners performance225 pleases you. He is a valluable Author, but very deaf, He is going on with the Proof of Facts. Some think the Deists will attack all the principles of our Religion, all the parts of Revelation—and make much work for the Press—and we hope to gaine stronger proofs in the ishue for our Faith and practice. Great is the Truth and it will Prevaile, the God of truth is greater then all.

    On the 18th July there was an Earthquake at Exon—and other places in the West Country—frightened many people—but little or no damage. Our Harvest is begun—fine Wether and very plentifull. Our Fleets are now upon returning to England spedily.

    Cessation of Armes at Gibralter. Our Marchant ships begin to enter the port of Spaine securely. This day the King reviews the Regiments of Guards in hyde park in the presence of a vast concourse of people of all distinctions. K. George 2d and Queen Caroline beare the Fatigues very well during the crowds of Adressers from all parts. We expect next week a Proclamation to call a new Parlament and great Struggles ferment alreddy Citty and Countrys Whigg and Tory. I see no reason to apprehend, but that we shall have a good majority, for the Interest of the Nation.

    Colonel Shute now waites new Credentials from our new King if possible before he returns to you. He hopes to gett them in September. I wish he may and depart and arive safe in his government again. I have shewed your adress226 to sundry freinds, and they tell me your compliments to our court now, are 50 if not 100 years too antient for our present polite Stile and Court. If you reassume the thoughts of addressing the new King, let me recommend to your reading over the London dissenting Ministers—the University of Cambridg—the Quakers addresses, all which are printed with many more good ones in our London Gazetts, from which you may make one that will be better accepted at St James’s. This is now flirted at as a bible address, says one, a Concordance address sayes another. Tho I think it an honest meaning, Christian address, plaine dealing will not go down among Flatterers. I have not seen the Governour lately nor had opportunity to shew it unto him for advice. Perhaps he may be displeased if I should, because you have not mentioned his name. What has Courts to do to studdy old Testament phrases and prophesies, its well if they read the Common prayer book and Psalter carefully.

    Your Loving Freind Tho. Hollis

    London July 24 1727

    Sir I have received your packet the 20th by Mr. Appleton left for me at the N. E. coffehouse dated June 9 with an inclosed address to our dead King. He died at Osnabrug the house of the Duke of York, his Brother, and buried according to his orders privately at Hanover. I have consulted one and another about it, and am advised not to present it to the new King—K. George 2d—so I shall lay it by till you give me orders to return it to you or to cancell it. And I give you my opinion, if you reassume the thought of adressing, take a modell from our London dissenting Ministers address published in our London Gazett, I think I have sent it to our Tresurer. And do not send it to me but to your Agent Dummer or Mr. Newman—or your Governour Shute if you shall think him at London. I have no acquaintance with the Great ones at Court. I live privately among my own family and decline the Publick shewe. You tell me Mr. Greenwood was chosen by the Corporation and was approved Hollitian Professor by the Board of Overseers.227 When the news comes to me in forme, I shall and doe readily confirm and do hope it will prove a beneficiall foundation to America. I pray give my service to Dr. Mather and tell him the book he wrote for so long since is not yet published, for want of a due number of subscriptions, and some begin to doubt if at all.

    July 26. I have received last night by Capt. Curling a letter from Mr. Treasurer dated 16 June and one inclosed from Mr. Hen[ry] Flynt by order of the Overseers with thanks for my Apparatus, which I receive with pleasure. May they continue to performe their Promises, I lay no other burden upon them. It is dated May 25.

    Pray deliver the inclosed papers as directed.

    My love and service to all the Honorable and Reverend Overseers to the President and Fellowes and Professors of your College and all the Students on my foundation.

    Your Loving Friend

    Tho. Hollis

    I suppose you read my letters to Mr. Treasurer and he mine unto you.

    [Addressed:] For the Reverend Mr. Benjamin Colman Minister in Boston.

    Hollis Letters and Papers, p. 79. There is a tear where the letter number might be, but it is undoubtedly No. 54.