To Thomas Jefferson from Ebenezer Hazard, 30 June 1775
From Ebenezer Hazard
New York June 30th. 1775
Sir
Your very obliging Letter of 30th. April did not come to hand before a few Days ago, or it should have been answered sooner.
I am happy that you coincide with me in Sentiment respecting the Utility of my Undertaking, and, judging of the whole from the Materials I am already possessed of, I cannot help thinking the Collection will be vastly more important than I at first imagined.
The polite Manner in which you offer your Assistance lays me under great Obligations, and I beg you will be assured I shall chearfully embrace Opportunities of rendering you any Service in my Power here.
To prevent your having unnecessary Trouble respecting my Collection I take the Liberty of sending you the following List of the Papers I have relating to Virginia; vizt.
- Queen Elizabeth’s Patent to Sir W. Ralegh for making Discoveries.
- The Names of the Persons who composed the 1st. and 2d Colonies which settled in Virginia.
- First, Second, and Third Charters, from Stith’s History.
- King James’s Commission to Sir Walter Ralegh in 1617.
- An Ordinance and Constitution of the Treasurer, Council and Company in England for a Council of State and General Assembly. July 24th. 1621. This last is from Stith.
- A Commission to the Archbishop of Canterbury and eleven others for governing the American Colonies 1634;—and
- The Commonwealth’s Instructions to Capt. Dennis &c. “appointed Commissioners for the reducing of Virginia, and the Inhabitants thereof to their due Obedience to the Commonwealth of England.”—1651.
- These are all I have yet been able to procure.
Though I had not the Honor of an Acquaintance with Colo. Bland I took the Liberty of troubling him with a Letter and my Proposals while the former Congress was sitting, but have not been favored with any Thing in Answer. I beg you will be kind enough to remind him of this, and oblige me with his Reply.
I am Sir, Your very humble Servt.,
Eben: Hazard
RC (DLC). See Hazard to TJ, 23 Aug. 1774; TJ to Hazard, 30 Apr. 1775.