460 MICHAEL COLLINSON [1774. 



the indignation of every honest mind. In all their late resolves 

 and meetings, we hear of no proposal whatever to pa} 7 the East 

 India Company, for the goods they robbed and plundered them of. 

 But retribution they will be obliged to make, I firmly believe, some 

 way or other ; as they have now to deal with an administration 

 firm and persevering. 



If Lord Chatham's word is to be believed, " America was con- 

 quered in Germany." If so, we are not now to learn the price of 

 blood and treasure we have paid on its account, and for its security 

 and advantage. But the conduct of part of the Colonies, and their 

 wishes for an illicit contraband trade, to the prejudice of the mother 

 country, and their own separate emolument, is now pretty well 

 understood here, and who are their principal abettors, on both 

 -ides the water. But enough, my dear sir, of this. It is a disa- 

 greeable subject, and we will, if you please, drop it. 



When the lease of my habitation here expires, which will be in 

 little more than a year, I shall, if I live, I hope, once more breathe 

 the salubrious gale of the country, at my mansion at Mill Hill, 

 which I am once more the proprietor of; and though no more than 

 ten miles from the metropolis, commands distant and home views 

 of several counties. I well remember my old friend, Mr. Moses 

 Bartram, being there. I hope he is well and alive. I have not 

 heard a word of him for many years past. 



The principal reasons of my leaving it at all, were the depreda- 

 tions committed in my garden, from whence all the fine plants, pos- 

 sible to remove, were carried off; and which were almost all derived 

 from your bounty ; to which may be added, my resolution of going 

 into France and Italy, &c, on the loss of a most revered and be- 

 loved parent. B,ut even now, the Blue Mountain Magnolias are 

 still flourishing with amazing vigour, and are above (for there are 

 two of them) thirty feet high, and flower prodigiously : but the 

 seed-vessel is the most beautiful part of the plant, being, when ripe, 

 of a rich deep crimson. But I have this from report ; for I shall 

 not have courage to look into the premises myself, till I go to re- 

 side for good, having a good tenant, for a year, who rents it ready 

 furnished. 



The more I see and reflect, the more I am satisfied in the just- 

 ness of your remark ; and think, I cannot too soon retire from 

 "the extravagant, confused inventions of men." 



I remain, dear sir, with great respect, most affectionately yours, 



Michael Collinson. 



