346 Thomas Hollis to Benjamin Colman

    London, March 1, 1726/7

    Mr. Benj. Colman

    Reverend Sir

    I have written unto you largely and to others in a box of Books, beginning of February by Capt. Sheperdson, and referr.

    The occasion of my present letter, is to acquaint you that your Governour Col. Shute, did me the honour of a visit yesterday and dined with me; he expresses his purpose and Resolution of his returning to his Government this Summer, with King Georges letter of Instructions and recomending of him to your Council and assembly to allow him a suitable Provision for to maintaine the Expences of his Post, not less then a thousand pounds Starling per Annum, and your paper credit vallued to him at the price the Marchants fix the course of exchange.

    I know he has a great opinion of your sincerity and affections to serve him, and will listen to your advice, suffer me to offer my thought in the affaire. Do you counsel him on his arrival as the old men did Rehoboam, 1 Kings, 12, 7 and I wish he may take the advice.211 He has been banished as it were from you about four yeares, and many uneasy resentments filled his mind from Cook and some others, together with but meane circumstances for a Gentleman, wearing such a Commission. If your Rulers receive him returning in love, and carry it with Respect due to their Governour, and duty to K. George you will be the happiest people of any of his Majesties Colonies or Islands in America but if you disregard the Kings letter and treat him unkindly as they formerly did, I cant answer for consequences, but I beleive your Children, not to say the Gentlemen now in power will hereafter Repent it.

    Pray do not expose my letter to publick talk, if you can make any good use of the caution for good to the Community, do it. It is amasing to some of us here when we think N.E. the Richest and most numerous people of the American provinces, the English possess, yet should maintain their Governour in the meanest manner of them all.

    March 2d

    This day I received a letter from N.E.212 intreating that Joseph Parsons213 a student now in your College m[ay] have my exhibition the first vacancy, being a Son of a Minister in your Country under meane and low circumstances. I desire Mr. President and you may examine the Youth and if found agreable to my Rules, I do and shall approve your nomination of him, that he may enter upon it at your next commencement in July.

    March 9

    War is begun by the Spaniards beseiging Gibralter Feb. 13. I apprehend the greatest scene of action this Summer may be in the Baltick. We must pay 1727 four shillings in the pound taxes, besides Malt &c.

    I have yesterday Shipt in the Totness, Capt Curling, Consigned to Mr. E. Hutchinson as usual, 5 chests of Mathematical instruments and glasses for Experiments.214 These with what you wrote word, were alreddy in the College will make a fine Apparatus for my Professor, and if well used, may be of singular service to the Gentlemen Students in your Country. I am told they design the same for Bermuda, and I am told Mr. Smith and his son215 the preacher are removing thence to settle in Carolina.

    My love to all friends

    Sir

    Your humble Servant

    Thomas Hollis

    [Endorsed:] Received May 22, 1727, No. 52.

    Hollis Letters and Papers, p. 77.