272 Thomas Hollis to Benjamin Colman

    London May 10, 1723

    Mr. Benj. Colman

    Deare Sir

    I have written unto you this Spring several letters which I hope you have received, and have none of yours to answer, but am now expecting shortly some answer from you to them. My Cousin D. Neale did lately present me with two sermons52 from you that came by Capt. Pemberton. My Wife and self return you thanks for them. Our Gazet tells us that Mr. Dummer has presented the King with an address from the United Ministers of the Gospel in New England which was gratiously received. I remarked in a letter you wrote me some Months since it was your desire I should attend at the delivery of it—which I did not decline—but I may tell you, that I was not summoned, nor am I offended at the Omission; because I am told, you are totally silent in it about your Governor Colonel Shute. I say I am told so, because I have not yet been favored with a sight of it, though I desired of Mr. Dummer that he would let me read it, and consult with him about the manner of delivring it. Nor do I heare as yet of any requests made from your Council or Ministers to the King, that he might be returned unto you, nor any application to the Governour that he would be pleased to return which Neglect I am sorry for.

    That your Country should so far slight a Gentleman, who I think is a lover of King George and his Country, and has indeavored to serve New England Faithfully, and borne your murmurings against him with Patience, and yet retains affection for you, and would willingly return to his Post to serve you, if he may do it with Honour, have his Government suitably maintained, and the Kings busines regularly obeyed and supported. I would hope there are wise men among you who will timely consider this matter, if it be not yet done, you may perhaps have time to do it, against the Kings return from Hanover. And let me add my thoughts, that if you do not, but rather suffer a Change, according to the Fable of the Frogs, whatever you think of him, which were at last favored with a Stork, may be your Fate, as one lately hinted to me, and added, deservedly and unpittied, I pray God prevent it. Many of your freinds here are greatly concerned for your future welfare, and greatly afraid of the consequence, if you are silent now, you may Repent too late, when another sett of men will laugh at your calamitys.

    I hope your goodnes and your freinds will excuse me in expressing my concern for your welfare in this plain Epistle, too many seeme to boast already over you in their bigottry to a certain Church. May our gratious God over rule all for his own Glory

    Reverend Sir

    Your very Loving Friend

    Thomas Hollis

    PS

    May 10

    Sir I desire you to Shew the former part of this letter to Dr. Cotton Mather, or any other of your Brethren as you think fitt. I have written to the Doctor by a former ship and tell him I have nothing new to add. Mr. Cutler who was dangrosly ill of the Smal Pox, is recovered, and been ordained by a Bishop, and I think Mr. Brown his fellow Tutor at same time, but Mr. Browne is since that dead of the Smal Pox.53 Our Bishop of London is dead and Dr. Gibson succeeds him, he is a Gentleman of a good character. The valluable Bishop of Ely was reported dead some days since but I saw his Phisitian yesterday who told me, he hoped he would recover.

    Your Boston To[r]yman, the non Juror,54 has shewn Great Eagernes to be ordained a Missionary in Mr. Brownes roome for Bristol, and been strongly supported by some, but by the vigilance and zeale of your Governor Shute and piety of Mr. Mayo and Mr. Baker, been prevented to his very great mortification, professing his great Love to the Church &c.

    My Brother John Hollis and Company have received a packet by Capt. Pemberton with several new letters of Attorny, which Mr. Harris approves of and says he will consult Mr. West, about paying the moneys, expecting the rest will come over also in a little time.

    The King proposes to sett out for Hanover about the 2d June, its thought the Parlament will rise about 27 May.

    I received a packet with coppys of former accounts by Pemberton from Mr. Tresurer Hutchinson, but by the post, though he had directed it for the Captain to deliver it me himself, as I beleive he did do to Mr. Neale. My love and service to any freinds that inquire after my welfare.

    Sir

    Your very Loving Friend

    Thomas Hollis

    I see no present danger, from the late Plotters, though the Conspiracy was deep laid, by the vigilance of our Ministry, has been prevented.

    [Endorsed:] No. 19.

    Hollis Letters and Papers, p. 38.