456 MICHAEL COLLINSON [177 



Gordon, or Mr. Freeman, marked M. C. The freight of which, 

 and other expenses, would be instantly paid by, 



Dear sir, 



Your truly affectionate servant, 



Michael Collinson. 



Manchester Buildings, July 21st, 1773. 



My dear Sir : 



I am to thank you for your very obliging and instructive letter 

 if the 10th May last, and sit down to reply to it as well as I am 

 able ; but, in the first place, beg you will never think of troubling 

 yourself to make any future apology, in regard to writing, &c. 

 Nothing can be more clear and comprehensive, notwithstanding the 

 increased imperfection of sight complained of ; and which I shall be 

 most heartily rejoiced to hear proves only a temporary complaint ; 

 and, I cannot help adding, that if the sincere and ardent wishes of 

 an individual can avail, there are many, very many happy years 

 yet to be added to a life, not more justly prized by its dearer and 

 nearer connexions, than it has, I am sure, proved an honour to 

 humanity, and the public at large. 



The consideration you have been pleased to show to the commu- 

 nications of reciprocal friendship, for a series of years past, was 

 mutual between my dearest father and yourself. He, also, pre- 

 served the letters of his old and beloved friend. He considered 

 them, as they justly were, an invaluable mine of original American 

 knowledge ; and I trust, at least, that the treasure will not sink in 

 its value, in the hands of his son. 



The general remarks you make respecting the extirpation of the 

 native inhabitants of your vast forests are striking and curious, 

 and carry conviction along with them ; and, indeed, I cannot help 

 thinking but that, in the period you mention, notwithstanding the 

 amazing recesses your prodigious continent affords, many of the 

 present species will become extinct, and perhaps the Indians 

 themselves; but of the humbler tribe, I feel most for the poor 

 ingenious Beaver, and read with indignation and concern the many, 

 many thousands of their furs imported from America annually, 

 advertised for sale in the papers. 



I honour and admire the tenderness of your sentiments, even 

 with regard to that frequently fatal reptile, the Rattlesnake ; and 



