118 Selections from the Correspondence of 



how much more a man is likely to suffer from the malevolent 

 tempers of many readers, than to gain any applause or benefit 

 from those that are more candid and indulgent, where the design 

 of writing appears to be useful, though it be weakly performed. 

 Every man in my opinion owes so much to his country, that he 

 should patiently submit to scoffs, and jests, and revilings, when he 

 thinks he cannot avoid them by being useful ; and I hope it will 

 appear my design is, as it really was, in writing that history, to be 

 in some degree useful to my country. If it be so, I shall truly 

 gain my end, without any further view besides that of endeav- 

 oring to give some pleasure and amusement to you. 



I once had entertained hopes of enlarging my knowledge of 

 the Indian affairs and manners, by spending some time among 

 them ; but as I did not understand their language, and could 

 have no interpreter but at a considerable expense, more than I 

 could bear, I was forced to lay aside that design ; and now I 

 have little or no hopes of gaining more information than what 

 I already have. I might have put in several more particulars, to 

 show upon what grounds I have more than once blamed the 

 mismanagement of the Indian affairs in this province ; but I did 

 not think it proper to be too particular, as it must throw severe 

 reflections upon particular persons or families now in this prov- 

 ince. I may venture to give you in private some particular facts 

 which it is not proper by any means to be made public and gen- 

 eral. * * * More such instances can be given. * * * 



I look upon it, sir, as one of the happy incidents of my life, 

 that I have had the good fortune to fall into a correspondence 

 with you ; because I take you to be one much of my own taste, 

 and I have often wished to communicate some thoughts in 

 natural philosophy, which have remained many years with me 

 undigested ; for we scarcely have a man in this country that 

 takes any pleasure in such kind of speculations. Your commu- 

 nicating to me your private manner of life is the strongest in- 

 stance of your friendship, and in some measure makes up the 

 loss of a personal acquaintance, which I cannot hope to obtain. 

 This encourages me to give you some account of myself, believ- 

 ing you may expect it, as I hope that you intend to continue 

 your correspondence. 



I was educated in Scotland, by my parents, with a view to 

 be settled in the church there ; and I had as great encourage- 



