HUTCHINSON AS AGENT

    53. To John Cushing, 28 January 1764

    54. To the Secretary of the General Court, 1 February 1764

    55. To Lord Halifax, 3 February 1764

    56. To Richard Jackson, 3 February 1764

    57. To Unknown, 4 February 1764

    58. To William Bollan, 6 February 1764

    59. To Unknown, 7 February 1764

    60. To Richard Jackson, 8 February 1764

    61. To Richard Jackson, 11 February 1764

    62. To David Chesebrough, 15 February [1764]

    As the British government prepared to introduce new taxes on colonial trade and tighten the enforcement of the Navigation Acts, many American colonies began to lobby against such measures. The Massachusetts General Court voted on 27 January 1764 to send a special agent to England to present the province’s case to the British government. The following day, the General Court chose Thomas Hutchinson as that agent, a choice to which Governor Francis Bernard acceded. In private, however, Bernard advised Hutchinson to secure permission from Secretary of State Lord Halifax and the Lords of Trade, lest he jeopardize his position as lieutenant governor by leaving the province without appropriate authorization. Hutchinson complied and told the General Court that he must wait for word from his superiors in Britain before accepting the office. His failure to undertake the commission immediately upset many and made some begin to doubt the strength of his opposition to the new taxes.

    53. To John Cushing

    Cambridge 28 Jan. PM 1764

    Dear Sir, We have by an Act adjourned Charlestown Court to the third tuesday in April at Cambridge. No bill passed for a general alteration of the Courts nor any thing determined about Boston Court the Small pox being still in an uncertain state.1 You know that since you went away we have burned down the Old College and voted to build another,2 and what more affects me they have chosen an Agent and I am distressed to death. I have been all my life time censuring the General Court for not seeing things at a distance in their true light but never had so much Reason to blame any other person in this Respect as I now have to blame my self. Pray for Your Affectionate brother & Servant,     Tho Hutchinson

    RC (Massachusetts Historical Society, William Cushing Papers); addressed, “To the honorable John Cushing Esq At Scituate”; dateline appears at the bottom left of the letter.

    54. To the Secretary of the General Court

    Cambridge, Feb. 1. 1764.

    Sir, I Shall ever retain a most grateful sense of the honour done me by the General Court, in appointing me to the Agency of the Province. I desire to spend my Life in such Services for my Country as I am most capable of performing; but I am doubtful whether any Services in my Power, would countervail the Charges of a Voyage to England, and a proper Support there: which must greatly exceed the Charge of an Agent an Inhabitant, or constant Resident there.

    There are besides some peculiar Difficulties, attending as well the Affairs in which I stand related to the Publick, as my own private and family Affairs; which I can see no prospect of removing in less time than three or four Months.

    Under these Circumstances, I must submit to the General Court either wholly to Excuse me from this Service, or to admit of my engaging in it, when the present Obstructions can be removed. I am, with the greatest Respect to the General Court, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant,     Thos. Hutchinson

    MS not found. Reprinted from JHR, 40:258–59; at head of letter, “Mr. Secretary”; dateline appears at the bottom left of the letter.

    55. To Lord Halifax

    Boston 3. Feb 1764

    My Lord, The Assembly in their present Sessions by a general vote desired me to take a voyage to England as Agent for the Province to transact several affairs which are depending there. Although the Lt Govr place whilst the Governor is in the Province has neither business nor emolument annexed to it yet I did not think it proper to be absent without leave. Notwithstanding my refusal at this time it is possible the Assembly which by Charter is to meet the 30 of May may make the same request. I humbly ask your Lordship that if they should Repeat their desire I may have leave to comply with it unless it shall appear to your Lordship to be for His Majestys service that I should Remain in America. I have the honor to be with the greatest Respect My Lord Your Lordships most humble and most Obedient Servant,

    AC (Massachusetts Archives, SC1/series 45X, 26:78); at foot of letter, “The Rt Hon the Earl of Halifax.”

    56. To Richard Jackson

    Cambridge 3 Febr 1764

    Sir, The General Court, having removed to this town to avoid the Small pox at Boston, a few days ago passed a vote to send an Agent to England.1 It was a sudden motion & greatly opposed & carried by 46 in the House ^by 46 only^ against 40 but when they came to a choice I had all the votes except 8 both of the Council & House. Upon consulting with the Governor he advised me not to go without special leave.2 I must confess ^own^ I never imagined until then that a commission without any kind of business or perquisite could be intended to confine me to a particular place but upon consideration I was satisfied the Governor’s advice was right and I gave my answer to the Assembly, that some difficulties ^&c.^ rendered it impracticable for me to proceed at present but in 3 or 4 months I thought they might be removed and I left it to them either wholly to excuse me or to admit of my engaging when those difficulties could be removed. The House by a majority of 2 only voted to excuse me but the Council were divided & so there was a nonconcurrence.3 In this odd situation the affair was left ^altho’ I have offended many by Refusing it yet^ It is not improbable the Court may renew their Vote in May. I am, really, in great doubt whether it be prudent for me to undertake it, but upon conferring with the Governor upon it he urges me to write to Lord Halifax for leave ^especially as many of the Assembly expected it^ and I take the liberty to inclose a letter and to ask the favour of you to deliver it and to pray Mr. Sedgwick to procure an answer if may be, by one of the first vessels.4

    I will inclose a copy of my letter. I used the word America in the close because I have been informed that a proposal had been made for a Commission to a number of Gentlemen of which I am one to determine the controversy between the governments of New York & New Jerseys.5 This will be a business not to be desired, very troublesome & would take me off from my business here, but my obligation to Lord Halifax is so great that what^so^ever he ^Ld Halifax^ thinks most proper for me I shall think so too.

    Being absent from home where I left your last favour by the Pacquet I must omit some other things I intended to have mentioned.6 I am with very great esteem Sir Your obliged and most obedient Servant,     Tho Hutchinson

    Dft (Massachusetts Archives, SC1/series 45X, 26:83–84); substantially revised; at foot of letter, “Mr. Jackson.”

    57. To Unknown1

    Cambridge 4 Feb. 1764

    Dear Sir, By an Act we have continued all civil & criminal trials by Jury from Boston February Court to August, and other matters will go on.2 The Small pox is at a stand there but Doctors nurses or some sort of people or other will find a way to spread it. I am a third lighter than when I wrote you last being now just two thirds of an Agent whereas I was an whole one then. I gave for answer that I could not proceed under 3 or 4 months & left it to the Court either wholly to excuse me or to admit of my embarking then.3 The House voted wholly to excuse me but the Council nor the Governor have not departed from the first vote and so it lyes. What is is best. I am Sir Your affectionate brother & Servant,     Tho Hutchinson

    RC (Private Collection, 2011); unaddressed.

    58. To William Bollan

    Boston 6. Feb 1764

    Dear Sir, The General Court Removed to Cambridge the Smallpox being in several families in Boston. About 10 days ago some of the members of the House who were dissatisfied with the state of the Province affairs in England moved to chuse an Agent to go from hence. Great opposition was made but it obtained 46 against 40 & the Council concurred. When they came to a choice I had all the votes except 8 of both Houses. I was extremely perplexed & after some days deliberation I gave my answer that I doubted whether the extraordinary expence of my going from hence would not more than equal any service I could do them & besides that it was not practicable for me to go under 3 or 4 months.1 I left it therefore to them either wholly to excuse me or to admit of my engaging as soon as the obstructions could be removed. The House voted to excuse me for the reasons mentioned in my answer. The Board nonconcurred & the affair being in this situation the Court was prorogued the other business being finished & I suppose will not sit again until May. The Governor advised me not to accept without writing to Lord Halifax & this advice fell in with my inclination otherwise I could hardly have brought my self to think that I should have given offence as my post has neither business nor emolument annexed to it. I have wrote by this ship & desired of My Lord Halifax that if this request should be Renewed I might have leave.2 It is uncertain whether it will or no. They begin to attack me in the Papers already.3 If it should I find a great reluctance when I take a near view of it. If I thought I could do any service I would Run the risk of being reproached for doing it. I have no personal advantage in view except the improvement of my mind, new posts or new employments I do not desire. You can see the thing in a truer light than I can. I wish you would give me your candid advice. There will be opportunity before that affair can come forward again. I am Sir Your Affectionate humble Servant,

    AC (Massachusetts Archives, SC1/series 45X, 26:76–77); at head of letter, “Mr Bollan”; although there is no indication that this letter was a draft rather than a letterbook copy, the resemblance it bears to TH’s letter to an unknown London correspondent, No. 59, below, raises the possibility.

    59. To Unknown

    Boston 7. Feb. 1764

    My Dear Sir,1 After the frequent hints you gave that you expected to see me in London in March & my silence upon those occasions I think my self accountable to you for not answering your expectation. The Court neglected the affair of the Agency until about 10 days ago. I said nothing to any of the members having always determined to be altogether passive in the affair so far as respected my self. The Court sat at Cambridge to avoid the Smallpox beginning to spread at Boston. The affair was suddenly brought on in the House & altho ^there was^ great opposition yet it was carried by 46 votes against 40 & the Council concurred.

    The next day they came to a choice when I had all the votes of both Houses except 8 of which eight three were from the members of Boston being all that were then present.2 The governor immediately gave his consent. I was absent the whole time at Boston & was a good deal surprized at the news. When I came to consider the thing I found it impracticable to quit my family & business upon ten days notice. If I delayed longer there was no chance for my being in England before the business of the present Parliament would be over; it was besides made a question by some of my friends whether there would not be an impropriety in my going to England without leave. Under these circumstances I submitted it to the Court either to excuse me from the service or to admit of my going 3 or 4 months hence.3 By this time many of the distant members were gone home. Thacher the Boston member who had been absent before was now present & the party against any new Agent was the strongest & the House voted to excuse me 33 against 30 but the Board nonconcurred. The affair being in this situation the Court the other business being over was prorogued & probably will not sit again until the last of May. I have wrote to Lord Halifax that I did not think it proper to quit the Province tho I had nothing to do in it by virtue of my comission without leave & prayed his Lordship that if this vote or request should be renewed in May I might have leave if his Lordship thot proper to accept of or comply with it.4 All will depend upon what shall be done in England this winter & the advice of my friends of whom give me leave to esteem you as one.5 If there be no prospect of my doing any publick service I have no private views. I seek no new posts. What I have at present I dearly earn the emoluments attending them & therefore look upon them more [illegible] & indeed no man without a fortune of his own to support him could hold them. I can propose nothing therefore for my self but the improvement of my mind & thereby Rendering my self better qualified for service in my own country. I have great dependance on your candid advice as I know you will be well acquainted with the state of affairs. I am Dear Sir Your affectionate,

    AC (Massachusetts Archives, SC1/series 45X, 26:77–78); unaddressed.

    60. To Richard Jackson

    Boston 8 Feb. 1764

    Sir, Since my return from Cambridge it is thought proper that besides my letter to Lord Halifax I should send another of the same import to the Lords of Trade.1 This makes it necessary for me to ask a further favour from you that you would please to deliver it & to pray Mr. Secretary Pownall to obtain an answer for me. I am Sir Your most obedient humble Servant,

    AC (Massachusetts Archives, SC1/series 45X, 26:79); at head of letter, “R. Jackson Es.”

    61. To Richard Jackson

    Boston 11. Feb. 1764.

    Sir, Your goodness I hope will excuse the freedom I have used in the foregoing letters.1 Give me leave to acquaint you that I have employed all my leisure from publick business for the last 12 month in putting together materials which I had collected for a History of the Province. I have gone as low as 1692 the arrival of the present charter & with a collection of original letters & other papers which I intend to publish with it may make a quarto volume of 500 pages. I design it chiefly for my own country men. It cannot be expected a colony should afford interesting matter for the World in general. If I should go for England I could print it there to more advantage than here but if I should not go which I think is most probable I would set about it here & I fancy a large octavo volume would be most approved of as it will make the book much cheaper.2 I intend a dedication to Lord Halifax but think it necessary first to have his leave. Shall I therefore ask the further favour of you to know if his Lordship will permit it ^unless you think there is an impropriety in such an application^ to inform me when you write upon any other occasion.3 The Governor gives you a particular account of the misfortune to the College by the loss of one of the Halls & the publick Library.4 I am Sir Your most faithful & humble Servant,

    AC (Massachusetts Archives, SC1/series 45X, 26:79); at foot of letter, “Mr Jackson.”

    62. To David Chesebrough

    15 Feb [1764]

    Dear Sir, A promise had better be late complied with than never. I inclose to you a letter to Mr. Stiles which pray deliver.1 You saw by our papers the choice the court made of an agent. It was not as represented unanimous though there wanted only 8 votes of both houses in a very full court. I was extremely perplexed not expecting such a vote at that time & was wholly unprepared. I told them they must either excuse me wholly or allow me 3 or 4 months to prepare for it.2 The House who tho when they had determined to send were in general for me yet had but a bare majority for sending any person voted by a majority of two to excuse me. Some of my best friends thought it would be most agreeable to me. The Council Refused to concur & so the matter will rest until May, before which time I expect an answer from the Secretary of State & the Board of trade to both which I have mentioned the thing.3 I hope Providence will order what is best. I have not the least doubt you will do the best you can with the tea.4 I am sure it is good & I believe there is not a great deal left in this town in the first hands but then it is an article which loses its flavor by age. I should be glad if you would know of Franklyn what the man he spoke to about the windows intended & agree with the cheapest. When you have an opportunity by a private hand send me Martins lease. I suppose G. Remington has estate enough.5 He will owe me ^near^6 £100 lawful money the 1st of April.

    The Smallpox is at a stand. I expect my children in town to morrow.7 I do not apprehend any immediate danger altho I am in great doubt where the interest of so many Doctors & Nurses is concerned whether the Distemper will not finally spread. I wish you & yours all happiness.

    AC (Massachusetts Archives, SC1/series 45X, 26:80–81); at foot of letter, “Mr Chesebrough”; partially dated.

    63. To Ezra Stiles

    Boston 15 Feb. 1764

    Reverend Sir, My good friend Mr Chesebrough mentioned to me some time ago that you was employing some part of your time in a History of the Country but whether it was a general history of the Colonies or of any one in particular & whether your plan was large & circumstantial or compendious & more general he did not acquaint me.1 I have spent some time in a work of this nature which I have now ready for the press, but it is very much confined to the Massachusets bay, the other colonies which sprang from it I have touched upon to shew their rise & have there left them except when their affairs were connected with those of the Massachusets.2 I have at first been more minute in the characters & other circumstances relative to our first settlers but afterwards have confined myself pretty much to our political history having for some years past been collecting what materials I could for this purpose. I have come down no lower than 1692 the time of our settlement under our present charter. I have a chapter upon the ecclesiastical constitution of the colony, another upon the system of laws and conclude with an account of the natives and the condition they were in & their customs & manners when the English first arrived. I have endeavoured for as much new matter as I could from manuscripts & such authors as are quite forgot to render a work so little interesting as this must be from the nature of it, as entertaining as possible. The whole including several original letters & other manuscripts will make a volume of near 500 pages in quarto. How far it will interfere with your design you will be able to judge. If I had known that a gentleman of your talents was engaged in a work of this nature I should not have thought there would have been occasion for my employing my self in the same way. My materials would have been better improved in your hands than in my own. I intended to have published the work here, but as there is some probability of my going to England in a few months I shall suspend the publication until that matter is determined. I am with very great esteem Sir Your most obedient servant,

    Tho Hutchinson

    RC (Beinecke Library, Stiles Papers, HC 1727); endorsed, “Received 25th. Febry. 1764 / Answerd 7th. May 1764.” AC (Massachusetts Archives, SC1/series 45X, 26:79–80); at foot of letter, “Mr Stiles.”

    64. To Robert Wilsonn

    Boston 24 Feb. 1764

    Dear Sir, I shall inclose John Scollay’s bill on Mark Anthony Richards & Co. in Coimbra Portugal for 200£ sterl passed in London at 40 days & endorsed to you.1 Perhaps if their Banker or Correspondent could be known it might save your sending it to Portugal for acceptance if not pray take the regular steps & if not paid return it protested in due form by first opportunity. I shall order you three or four hundred pounds more in a short time. If you could hit the time when Teas are at the lowest I could Remit you £1000 sterl. a year for that article in spight of the Smugglers.

    Our general court chose me their Agent to transact some affairs in England. I declined accepting at that time but did not wholly Refuse and have since wrote to Lord Halifax for leave to be absent.2 It is possible I may have the pleasure of seeing you once more but uncertain. It’s a long ferry & the business of an Agent will be difficult. Personal advantage I can propose but little. The twenty odd years which have passed since I was in London have shortened my prospects so much that I have done with all schemes & all my ambition is to be easy. So that I am in suspence and doubtful what will be prudent upon the whole. I am Sir Your very humble Servant,

    I have for some years past employed what little leisure I had from publick business in a History of the Province which I have Ready for the press.3 It will make a large Octavo of between 6 & 700 pages. Advise me at what Rate you could send me your best printing paper per Rheam sufficient for an impression of 1000 books. If I should come to England I would print it there if not would import the paper myself.

    AC (Massachusetts Archives, SC1/series 45X, 26:81); at foot of letter, “Mr Robert Wilson.” Enclosure not found.

    65. The Committee of the Harvard College Board of Overseers to Thomas Hollis

    Boston April [blank space in MS] 1764

    Sir, The College at Cambridge having flourished above one hundred and twenty years without any remarkable adverse providence has at length suffered an inestimable loss by fire. The most ancient building distinguished from the rest by the name of Harvard College or Hall, by means of an unhappy error in the construction the hearth being supported by timber took fire in the night following the 24. of January and was in a short time reduced to ashes. The General Court have made provison for rebuilding the house, but that was the smallest part of the loss, for this building contained the library apparatus &c.1 The library consisted of many thousand volumes, near two thousand in folio of the most celebrated ancient & modern authors. Your last generous donation another of about the same value and such books as were in the hands of the Students & others are all that were saved. From the foundation of the College this valuable library had been gradually forming by the bounty of pious & charitable friends many of whom were able to bestow books when they would not have been able or disposed to have given the like value in money. The family of Hollis stands highest in the list of benefactors to the College and besides the large sums which have been bestowed by several branches out of their own substance many friends to the College have been procured by their means. Your own donations have been so considerable that all which we can presume to ask of you is your favour & friendship in recommending the case of the College to such persons as would probably be inclined to contribute to repairing the loss. The loss of a library is more sensibly felt by our College than it could have been by any College in England. A great part of our Students are not furnished with libraries of their own and have their dependance upon the publick library for necessary books for their studies. The restoration of it is a matter of such importance that the Overseers have thought it their duty to apply to the friends of the College & of New England for help. They have wrote to Richard Jackson Esq of whose good affection to the College they have had experience, to Doctor Avery chairman of the deputation of the Dissenters and to Jasper Mawduit Esq Agent for the Province and we shall be obliged to you if you will consult all or either of them and any other friends and join, as you shall think proper, in concerting the most likely methods of accomplishing our desire.

    We are a Committee of the board of Overseers appointed to write to you, to receive your answer & to continue a correspondence from time to time as may be necessary. We are Sir Your very humble Servants,

    Tho. Hutchinson, And Oliver, Tho. Hubbard, Joseph Sewall,2 E Pemberton, Andrew Eliot

    RC (Massachusetts Historical Society, Thomas Hollis Papers); in TH’s hand; at foot of letter, “Thomas Hollis Esq”; endorsed, “Rec. june 13, 1764, answ. by my letter to President Holyoke, dated London aug. 18, 1764.”

    66. From Ezra Stiles

    Newport May 7 1764

    Sir, I wish I had as good an Excuse for deferring the acknowledgment of the honor you did me in your Letter of 15th. Febry last, as Selden, who for a year delayed an answer to a Letter from the celebrated Vossius with the Book de Historicis Romanis, that he might remit him the Chronological Inscriptions on the Marm Arund. then lately arrived from Asia.1 I had tho’t indeed to have taken the Liberty of suggesting some Things to your Honor, which it becomes the Modesty I ought to possess, & especially the Confidence due to your Abilities, to suppress. You have done me an unexpected Condescention in writing me a plan of your Work, apprehending I was employed in the same or a like Design. You do not know, Sir, with how much pleasure I understood that the history of the Massachusetts Bay was written by an English Native of New Eng, a Descendant of the first Accession, & a Gentleman of your Eminence, but above all of your honor’s Abilities,—if I should not be deceived in conceiving you, like Mr Agent Dummer a Friend to Charter Liberties: for such an one only, in my Opinion can justly write the History of New England.2 It is not to be expected that an European of the present Age (or until the third Generation) can do Justice to the history of the american provinces, especially their Infant plantation, the Initia tantæ oriundæ Rei tantique futuri Imperii, as I think Livy expresses it.3 This was a principal Inducement to my Employing the Leisure of a few Years past in collecting Material for a part or the Whole of the British American History. But on what particular Plan to form it, to what comprehension to extend it, I had not fully Determined. In general I designed something, that in doing Justice to my native Country might have survived the Oblivion which swallows up many historical productions. My first View (whether I had stop’d here or proceeded) was to write the history of New Eng as of one entire Emigration, people & settlement, to deduce it thro the civil, military, comercial, rural Ecclesiastical Changes & Revolutions, to the late memorable & glorious War, less glorious Peace, & I fear more inglorious Loss of Charter Privileges:—this, which in future History will be distinguished as the Period of Liberty, I purposd to have written. But I had rather been discouraged for some Time before I heard your honor was engaged in a Thing of the kind—partly because I greatly doubted my possessing the true historic Genius, as to Perspicuity of Narration, & Precision of Ideas in adjusting & connecting the several parts so that the whole might rise to View without Intricacy or Confusion. I doubted also my Purity of Mind & Impartiality for some interesting Descriptions & Accounts. I was also partly ^and principally^ dissuaded from the unavoidableness of personal & provincial offences in tracing recent Events to their Sources & deriving them up to the true Springs of Action (a Thing I presume which has dissuaded your honor from deducing your history no lower than about the Revolution). Add to this an Immensity of Labor, I believe too great for a feeble & slender Constitution to encounter. Perhaps the most I may ever complete may be an Ecclesiastical History, & yet even this is uncertain.

    You readily see, Sir, that to complete my plan of a political or civil History, I must necessarily wish to see the particular histories of each of the Colonies well & amply written, & the facts sufficiently vouched & authenticated for a Transmission to future Ages. I wish you may find Inclination & Leisure to resume & bring down your history of the Mass beyond 1692 to the present Time, at least to prepare it a posthumous Work. And as the Mass is the greatest part ^or half^ of New England, which collectively & in their Original were very much one people, you might easily enlarge your Plan to a Comprehension of the four N. E. Governments, the primordia of all which you must have already written. In which Case I will endeavor to procure you some Material for Connecticut & Rh. Island, if your honor shall condescend to accept any Assistance from me. You would thus write a complete history of an intire people or of one intire Emigration & settlement during the period of its purest Liberty. Your Work would review & pass down to succeeding Ages with a perpetuity of honor & Utility which would repay your Labors. The Grecian Emigration settled at Syracuse in a Century or Two equalled & surpassed New Eng for Numbers perhaps polity till the Age of Tyrants. We should with more pleasure read the intire History of that whole settlement at the Age of 150 years than of one principal District or only the greater half. There is a pleasure in comprehending a Whole. There are a few modern Events that require Purity of Judgment & great Delicacy, yet even these I believe would pass your Pen with Felicity. In the most tumultous Period, Confucius wrote the civil Wars of China with Success, & traced them to the invidious Hereditation of provinces & principalities 500 years before, the spirit of which wrot with tumultuous Efficacy in the Age he lived. If you can persuade yourself to encounter the Risque of a little temporary Displicency to which a faithful modern tho well vouched Account may be liable, we may hope you will gratify the public with 2 quarto Volumes instead of one. I shall purchase your Work as soon as it is printed & promise myself great satisfaction in it. I am, may it please your honor, with the greatest Respect, Your honors most Obedient & very humble servant,

    Ezra Stiles

    AC (Beinecke Library, Stiles Papers, HC 1727); at foot of letter, “Hon. Lieut. Gov Hutchinson Boston.”

    67. To Ezra Stiles

    Boston 4 July 1764

    Reverend Sir, Your obliging letter of 7 May I did not receive until yesterday. It happened to find me at leisure which I do not expect to last long and therefore embrace the first opportunity of answering it. I am sorry you have conceived so favorable an opinion of my performance.1 I remember the old line Magnus mihi paratus est adversarius expectatio.2 I shall certainly disappoint you in every thing but the historical facts many of which I fancy will be new to you & yet you will think ought to be preserved. I have let the manuscript rest for 4 or 5 months expecting an answer to my request for leave to go to England where I intended to have printed it but I cannot ^yet^ obtain an answer & am in doubt what it will be when it comes.3 I have therefore laid aside the thoughts of my voyage, if our Assembly should be disposed to renew their request to me, and shall begin to think of printing it here.

    Among other original papers which I had laid by to print at large at the end of my history is the trial of my Ancestress.4 Its a curious piece & I would not destroy it for ten guineas but I doubt whether it is not too minute to be received favorably by the world in general. I take the liberty to send it to you by my nephew.5 If you advise to it I will print it; if you should think it best not to print it I am sure it will please you to read it. The original is so defaced that it cost me some pains to copy it. When you have convenient opportunity please to return it to me.

    If God spare my life I think I shall put together other materials I have collected and when I set about it will ask the favour of any you are possessed of, but I have had too great a share myself in our publick affairs for 30 years past to think of publishing that part of our History.6 I threaten Mr. Otis sometimes that I will be revenged of him after I am dead.7 I am Sir Your very humble servant,     Tho Hutchinson

    RC (Beinecke Library, Stiles Papers, HC 1727); in EH’s hand; at foot of letter, “Revd Mr Stiles”; endorsed, “Recd. 12 July 1764.” AC (Massachusetts Archives, SC1/series 45X, 26:85–86); unaddressed.