366 Original Letters of Dr. Franklin. 
chocks of wood between; it contains variety of land: high 
and low, wood land and clear. There are a great many 
deer in it; and he expects in a few years to be able to kill 200 
head a year, which will be a profitable thing. He has like- 
wise 600 acres of meadow all within bank. The mine is 
not far from Passaic Falls, which I went also to see. They 
are very curious ; the water falls 70 feet perpendicular, as 
we were told; but we had nothing to measure with. | It 
will be agreeable to you to hear that our subscription goes 
on with great success, and we suppose will exceed 5000/. of 
our currency. We have bought forthe Academy the house 
that was built-for itinerant preaching, which stands ona 
large lot of ground, capable of receiving more buildings to 
lodge the scholars, if it should come to be a regular college. 
The house is one hundred feet long and seventy wide, built 
of brick, very strong, and sufficiently high for three lofty. 
stories. FT suppose the building did not cost less than 2000/.; 
but we bought it for 775/, 18s. 112d. though it will cost us 
three, perhaps four hundred more to make the partitions and 
floors, and fit up the rooms. I send you enclosed a copy of 
our present constitution ; but we expect a charter from our 
proprietaries this summer, when they may probably receive 
considerable attentions. ‘The paper admonishes me that ’tis 
time to conclude. 
I am, Sir, your obliged humble servant, 
B. FRANKLIN, 
4. Purtapenpuia, Oct. 25, 1750. 
Dear Sir, 
I ought to have informed you sooner that we got well 
home, and should have enquired after your health, as we 
left you in the hands of a fever. I beg you’d excuse the 
delay, and desire you would remember in my favour the old 
saying, they who have much business must have much pardon. 
Whenever Mr. Francis and I meet of an evening, we drink 
your health, among our other New-England friends, and he 
desires to be always respectfully remembered to you.—I am 
glad to hear you are got well again, but cannot have the 
pleasure of seeing you again this year. I will write to Col. 
