264 PETER COLLINSON [1764. 



PETER COLLINSON TO JOHN BARTRAM. 



London, June 1st, 1764. 



I thank my dear friend for his obliging letter of the 4th March. 

 It gives me comfort to hear thy leg is healed. As wounds are 

 fatal things to some constitutions, take great care for the future. 



Your season in March is something like ours, for then the sharp 

 cutting winds do our plants more damage than all the winter before. 



I ought not to envy my friend's happiness, but I should like 

 such a mistress as thou hast got, who is always treating thee with 

 dainties. A new yellow Lily, and white Iris, will be fine things. 



Before this comes to hand I hope thou will have received Dr. 

 Solander's names of the specimens, sent by last packet. * * 

 I want to go to Gordon's, to see if he has any 

 luck with the Tipithvitchet, and the Tree of Life of Eden. 



I wish we had some wealthy, public-spirited people, who would 

 encourage a search of those fine countries, our new acquisitions. 

 No one so well accomplished for that work as thyself; but court 

 politics so engross the attention of the great men, they have no 

 room to think of anything else. It is by no means advisable to 

 undertake it at thy own expense. Besides, unless a settled peace 

 with Indians, who would venture ? 



I have from China a tree of surprising growth, that much resembles 

 a Sumach [probably Ailantlms glandulosa, Desf., introduced into the 

 United States some fifty or sixty years after the date of this letter], 

 which is the admiration of all that see it. Perhaps thine may be 

 the same. It endures all our winters. Thou says thine came from 

 the East, but mentions not what country. "VVe call ours the Varnish 

 Tree. 



I am really concerned at the present situation of your province, 

 under the arbitrary proceedings of the Presbyterians, and the ill- 

 concerted plan of opposition in the Governor and his party. I 

 hope good Providence will open a way to settle these commotions. 



I have read the able, spirited resolutions of your Assembly, and 

 commend their zeal for equity and justice hope it will have a good 

 effect. 



I am pleased with the account of thy family, and am glad John 

 inherits the spirit of his father. He will find his advantage in it. 



