ogj. JOHN BARTRAM [1762. 



Thy hypothetical systems on the phenomena in nature, show a 

 fertile conception and a fruitful genius ; hut as I have neither 

 leisure nor inclination to oppose thy sentiments, I subscribe to 

 them. And if I had, it would be fruitless ; for when we had both 

 said our say out, it would be all conjecture at last. What I desire 

 to see is thy Diary ; which consists of facts that cannot fail to 

 give sensible pleasure, by instilling some knowledge into the mind, 

 and enlarging my ideas of the inconceivable power and wisdom of 

 the great Creator. 



The clearest of friends must part. I regret to lose so valuable a 

 member of society. I see our friend Franklin preparing to de- 

 part. By him I send the Magazine, and two books which will 

 give entertainment to thy speculative genius. 



Thou must take this letter as an instance of great friendship ; 

 for I am so hurried in business that I write a bit and a scrap, now 

 and then, to show thee Iioav much thou hast the esteem of thy real 



Friend, 



P. COLLINSON. 



My love to thy wife. 



When thou writes by the packet, always inclose it to my friend 

 Alexander Colden, Esq., Postmaster at New York ; and then it 

 costs me nothing. 



I have heard nothing, a long time, from Moses, Billy, or 

 Johnny. Idont iv ant them to write me letters; but for thee to 

 tell me how they go on and how they do. 



JOHN BARTRAM TO P. COLLINSON. 



May the 10th, 1762. 



Dear Peter : 



I have received thy kind letter of December 31, 1761. 



I am glad my Journal to Carolina is acceptable. I wish my 

 remarks on the Ohio may be so too. I have roughly wrote my 

 Journal to Pittsburg ; but I should write it over again before I 

 send it. But when I can get time to do it, I can't say, nor how to 

 send it safe. It is larger than that to Carolina. 



As thee hath made little mention of insects these many years, I 

 thought thee had lost thy taste for them long ago ; and the nets 



