217 Thomas Hollis to Treasurer White

    [September 20 1720]

    [. . .] my thanks for your care [. . .] receive a letter from Mr. John Tyler dated Aug. 11, with account of sales of the Arms and account Currant the Nett produce being £665.5.6 he promises to pay unto you as I ordred

    William Chadder

    159. 9.0

    Thomas Lethered

    150. 9.6

    Daniel Martin

    186.12.6

    Thomas Grose

    168.14.6

    665. 5.6 Nett cleare of charges

    yeare 1719

    300. 0.0

    I intreat you Sir to acquaint me the times when Mr. Tyler payes you, if agreable to his contract. I have writ to Mr. President &c. and made 4 nominations and one Query about Abbots parents, with a Conditional naming of him.

    And I intreat you at your usual annual audit of the College accounts you will please to give me a coppy of my account receipts and payments, to have it before me, that I may not order more payments then I have in cash. I am satisfied you will take prudent care in placing out the moneys securely at Intrest, in order to produce the annual exhibitions, but if unforeseen losses happen now or hereafter, my desire is that no Student have less than Tenpounds per annum for his time of Studys agreed upon by the Governors, and stop any future Exhibitions, till the Tresurer is in cash again.

    By this last letter from Mr. Tyler he orders me to send him a parsel of Nailes, which he saies are the readiest money and sell for the most advance which is 200 per cent. I have now shipt what he orders, and send you my Bill upon him for the produce to be paid in convenient time after the arival of the Ship—and well conditioned—if it please God the Ship arives safe. When the bill enters into cash pray dispose of it in the best manner with the rest. I write now unto him for farther orders, being unwilling to send any goods, but what are by his direction—the redyest money—and least troble in disposing of, and by which he may have some profit, taking of me, at same price as if he bought of a Factor in Boston. As for the Arms sold, I supose is servised Gratis, [. . .] improvement of [. . .] moneys out to Intrest at six per cent is more secure, the design being for the good of a succession, for future as wel as a present Servise.

    And I intreat you Sir and the Governors that due care be continually taken in nomination of students, that none share in my bounty but persons of a sober life and that are Religosly inclined to the work they are devoted unto—no Rakes no Dunces but of promising parts for future usefulnes.

    In my letter of this date to Mr. J. Tyler I write to him if he have occasion to remit to London £50 or £100 Star, he may pay the vallue to you—and give him a bill on me—specifying the Exchange and I will pay it in London. I doe not well know how much it is, but I suppose will be under £250 for £100 Star, and you will please to write me word.

    My Cousin Williams of London Gunmaker, known to Mr. Tyler has efects in the hands of sundry in Boston, and he had rather have money here then goods in return. I say your bills on me at £260 for £100 Star. and in proportion, or if the Exchang be £270 he will beare it. He writes to his freinds to pay you, and I pray you to receive if offred and place to my account.

    Messr Funnel and Partner

    about £80

    N. E. money

    Messr Gilbert and Cradock

    about £250

    N. E.

    Capt. John Osborne

    about £60

    N. E.

    Mr. Joseph Willard, Secretary to the Counsel as I supose is somehow concerned as Executor or otherwais to one that has been dead about 4 years, who owed J. Williams about £170 Star. If all or part is paid into your hand, give him a note on me to pay said J. Williams at such exchang in general as is common or as he will have it. I supose my said Cousin writes to them all by this Ship, and if one or other speak to you you are hereby impowered from me what to doe.

    [. . .] incorage as [. . .] places it will be convenient [. . .] sign to such a Student [. . .] per Annum. Now I desire [. . .] to inform me the reason of that; because while a Student, I see no difference in their Learning, whatever difference there may be in the Labour when they come to be preachers.

    I am now entertaining my self in reading Dr. Cotton Mathers book called The Christian Philosopher,1 which is very informing mixt with ejaculatory Devotion, having already read what Grew-Reye-Darham—have writ on the same Subjects. And the book will be more surprizing and pleasing to such among you (when it comes over) who have not had the same advantages. My humble Servis to Mr. President Leveret and the rest of the Governors of the College. I salute you Sir and am

    Your humble Servant,

    Tho. Hollis

    I hope Sir your goodnes will excuse my long letter but sundry things occurring to my thoughts I noted them down beyond what I intended, when I began.

    PS

    My Cousin Williams seems to repent ordring his effects in money therefore I intreat you Sir to say nothing of what I write to his corespondents, unless they apply unto you.

    T.H.

    [I2 have] given general hints of my thoughts how I desire my Gifts may be disposed of [for] pious poor Students for the Ministry. But if it please God I live to finish it, I propose to send you—or to leave in writing—my design collected and formed [for] the future continued management thereof—as short as I can—but if I [faile] of that, I trust the Corporation will doe as I have directed. T H.

    Shipt the 28 September 17303 in the 5 Brothers Capt. John Thomlinson for Boston 11–Casks of Nailes I T N. 1 a. 11 amounting by Invoyce to £58.12.6 Star, at 200 percent advance.

    [Endorsed:] London September 30th, 1720. Mr. Thos. Hollis, with John Tyler’s note to pay the nett produce of £58.12.6.

    Hollis Letters and Papers, p. 9. Tears in the ms obliterate the salutation, as well as several words throughout the letter. The endorsement shows the date, and a penciled note, as well as the sense of the letter, indicates it is to John White, Treasurer. The first name of Willard (p. 331) was Josiah.