1 14 Selections from the Correspondence of 



been pleased with him ; you would have found a wonderful nat- 

 ural genius, considering his education, and that he was never out 

 of America, but is an husbandman, and lives on a little estate of 

 his own about five or six miles from Philadelphia, on the river 

 Schuylkill. He really surprised me with a beautiful draught on 

 a sheet of paper of the falls of Mohawk River, which he took 

 when he was there, with a particular account of it, and also a 

 map of his own making of Hudson River, Delaware, and Schuyl- 

 kill, and the bay, which takes in the provinces of New York, 

 Jerseys, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and part of Virginia ; for he 

 has travelled all over these countries yet uninhabited beyond the 

 mountains, as well as the inhabited parts along the bay and the 

 sea-shore, from the Capes to your province. His observations 

 and accounts of all natural productions that happen in his way, 

 (and I believe few escape him,) are much esteemed here for their 

 truth ; and he wants not terms to express himself with some 

 accuracy. I have procured him assistance from some curious 

 persons here, to enable him to make further discoveries. Now, 

 my dear friend, I rely on your candor to receive this rambling 

 epistle, as it is intended, in friendly part. From a man much en- 

 gaged in business correctness is not to be expected; for really I 

 am obliged to write a paragraph now and then, subject to many 

 interruptions. 



My best wishes attend you : when leisure offers give a line to 

 your sincere friend, P. Collinson. 



Mr. Collinson to Dr. Colden. 



London, March 12th, 1742. 



My Dear Friend — You have loaded me with many favors. 

 How I shall make ample returns I know not : but if you will 

 allow me time and have patience, I may in some measure testify 

 my gratitude. If I may judge of your disposition, I persuade 

 myself you will prove a merciful creditor, and then by little and 

 little I may discharge my obligations. But at this season is our 

 greatest hurry of business, [so] that I am afraid I shall only be 



them." The next year Mr. Collinson writes — " I have a letter from J. Bartram, 

 who is full of gratitude for the kind reception at Coldengham. Your affable and 

 generous treatment he will never forget ; and indeed I have a due sense of the 

 favors shown him, being partly on my recommendation." 



