1765.] TO JOHN BARTRAM. 273 



I am concerned for thy disorder ; but more, to think a wise man 

 should have so little prudence to ramble about with Mrs. Lamboll 

 in your midday sun, with such a distemper on him. What cannot 

 be cured must be endured, for I see no remedy. 



We are now again on a change of the Ministry. Whilst the 

 members of the helm are thus fluctuating, no application can be 

 made, for those by whom thou wast appointed have been out some 

 time, and the set that is come in their room is expected to be 

 changed every day. So pray, make no more remonstrances on 

 that head, for I am tired with a repetition of them in every letter. 



Thou knows the length of the chain of fifty links ; go as far as 

 that goes, and when that's at an end cease to go any farther. 



I have received two half-year's salary of <50, and shall receive 

 25 more in March, and so on, and if we live to Michaelmas there 

 will be 25 more. This will, in the whole, be 100. Keep within 

 this compass, and be not a loser ; nay, if the King lives and thou 

 gives him credit, thou mayst be no loser, perhaps a gainer, if you 

 both live long enough. 



I allow all thou says. The premium is not equal to the risk ; 

 but in these precarious, unsettled times, there is no hope for an 

 alteration. 



I beg of thee, don't expose thy health; but return home and wait 

 until thy allowance amounts to a sum in hand, and then begin 

 again. 



I am glad Billy is with thee to take care of thee. Pray, give 

 my kind respects to him. 



I doubt not of our good friend Mr. Lamboll's care of the box. 

 My kind respects to him. 



I am, my dear John, thy sincere friend, 



P. Collinson. 



Our friend Mr. Ellis writ a letter recommending thee to 

 Governor Grant, which I hope he hath received. He also wrote 

 to the Governor of Pensacola, to the same purpose. 



London, December 28, 1765. 



Dear John : 



I don't know what to add to mine of November 13th, by ship 

 Minerva, but to inform thee of my welfare and my hope for thine. 



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