271 Thomas Hollis to Benjamin Colman

    London March 18, 1722/23

    Mr. Benj. Colman

    Deare Sir

    I have written largely to you this spring by Capt. Osborne and Letherid—to which I referr—since which I have received yours dated Feb. 5, and perceive you have a Reprieve—as Fellow—till next May. I have already hinted it would please me, to heare the Corporation had chosen my Professor a Fellow on the first Vacancy, Mr. Robie or another. His Exellency your Governour with his two Brothers Lord Barrington49 and Bendish Esq. with Mr. Neale and Mr. Hunt50 did me the Honour to come and dine at my house March 16, and after dinner We read over your letter and debated the President Leverit’s answer to the writing obligatory I had demanded under the seale of the Corporation; that upon second tho’ts, they could not find how to bind themselfs faster then they are already in Justice &c. Their unanimous advice was that I should insist on it, to have such an Obligation as strong as may be, according to your Promise in former letters I should have, that in all times coming the Corporation will perform my Trust in manner apointed by my Orders, and not divert the moneys devoted—Principle or Increase—to any other uses, and in case of default hereof to my Minde that then by the Power I have reserved to my self I may Devise it over to ________ for other uses discourst of, which if you ask your Governour at his return, he will tell you more largely.

    Your Governour was wel received by King George March 13. He tells me he has not yet heard or seen either your Boston or your College address,51 though Dummer was lately in his Company; nor have I as yet seen either of them.

    I am of Opinion when you have received the letters sent you as above mentioned, your Corporation will come into it to send me an Obligation as desired, without waiting for a coppy of a draft from me. If I do not think it full enough, I may alter it, and return it, and it will not be prudent for you to delay it, for though I think I have sent enuf, by Osborne—if it arive safe—to answer all I have as yet appointed, yet more was designed as I hinted in my Will, but that is as yet in my own Power to alter if I maynot be gratified in this. How your people have managed to your Governour in state affairs I am no Judg, how your people manage in matters of Justice and trade I know not, and in your Religious affairs, want of Charity, but so it is in all these Respects—take all together—there is a very great scandal and odium, cast on your country at London, by people of every denomination, as if you were hastning unto some great Tryals and calls for great abasement and reformation among you, which is the greife of my Soul to heare, and I pray God avert the Omens. Capt. Osborn has been detained at Plimouth, Lethered in the Downs a great while. Yesterday the Wind came East; I hope have now gotten a passage out of the channel. I wish them a safe voyage. I paid your Complement to your Governour. He expresses a great valleu for your Person and tender regard for your honour. If they doe vote you out in May, he will watch, it shall not be concurred here. He says he is willing to explain and inlarg your number of Fellows in the Corporation, if advisable, it may be done, but seems resolved that you 3 nonresidents shall not be dismist, but on your own application. I am glad of every notice of my Professors well performance. I hope it is more than a new broome, and it is from conscience, and I pray God it may be continued. I have known some young men newly entred on the Ministry, preacht excellent well studied sermons, who when their characters have been established, have used Repetitions, and less labour.

    March 10. I am told that 5 of our young Ministers or Students, have thought fitt to submit to Episcopal Ordination and subscription at London, after much cost and labour of their freinds and our Funds to our great grief and disapointment, being men of sober lives, onely wanted better preferment, then the Dissenters give, and not from a Conviction of Conscience as your Connecticut Brethren pretended. Formerly we rarely had a dissenter went over to the Bishop till he had blemisht his character with some vice, but it is not said so of these, and I am told that more will follow, for the sake of Profit, through a lukewarme temper of Mind, and this is grief of heart to us, as that was to you.

    I desire you Sir to acquaint Mr. President and the Corporation, with what you think proper of the Contents of this letter. My humble Service presented to Him and them all.

    Deare Sir

    Your very Loving Friend

    Thomas Hollis

    [Endorsed:] No. 18.

    Hollis Letters and Papers, p. 37. Parts of this letter are printed in Quincy, History, i. 540 (App. XLIX), 546 (App. LVI).