The wishes of the family of the late Reverend Doctor John Eliot,1 unite with the belief that the intelligence will be interesting to you, to induce me to communicate some particulars, respecting his sickness & death. This melancholy duty devolves on me, in their view, as one most intimately acquainted with the dear deceased: they know too, that I was devotedly attached to him, and have a warm regard for them.

Your favour, of first instant,2 directed to Him, was received yesterday; for the kind expressions of which, be pleased to accept our acknowledgements. Our respected friend, Doctor Morse, had before politely communicated your late letter, to him.3 We pray you not to apprehend that your excellent friend surmised that you was dilatory, in replying to his letter. We know that he highly prized the priviledge of corresponding with you; and that, besides the respect for your character, & gratitude for your eminent services to our Country, which in common with all the lovers of virtue, & talents, & patriotism, he entertained; he also cherished a particular regard, for your attentions to him, & to our Historical Society. Would that I could hope, as I do most earnestly wish, that you would accept my poor services in his stead: that you would honour me, by giving the opportunity of executing any commissions, or of paying, to any of your acquaintance who may visit this neighborhood, any attentions, as he would have delighted to do. Though not with equal success, as my revered patron, yet with equal readiness, I should delight to be made of any service to you; & if, as must be, I prove an unprofitable, I will a prompt & a grateful correspondent.

The public papers apprized you that Dr E. died on Sabbath, the 14. of February, in the 59th year of his age, & 34th of his ministry. They would have conveyed too a sketch of his history & character, but for the special wish of his brother & sons, that no obituary notice should pass to the public thro’ that channel. He was siezed, on the preceding Wednesday, with a violent spasmodic affection, of the muscles of the chest & the left arm but On Thursday, appeared to be relieved; & the hope was indulged that a life, so valuable & precious to society & his connections, would be prolonged. On Friday, the complaints recurred, with such convulsive violence, that his physicians considered the indications to be unequivocal; & he was apprizd that their judgment concurrd, with his own impressions, as to the speedy issue. His mind was unimpaired, & perfectly serene to the last moment, his faith unwavering, his hope full of immortality. He expressed some apprehensions lest he might become impatient, if his severe sufferings were protracted; but he was enabled to meet all which was assigned, as became his Christian profession & ministry. His exit was at last as easy, as the slumber of a healthy infant.

The disorder was supposed to be either ‘Angina pectoris’, or an Organic disease of the heart. On examination, the pericardium was found highly inflamed; in some parts approaching a gangrenous state. The organ was enlarged greatly beyond the medium size in the average of subjects, & doubtless very much beyond the state of health of the individual. Dr. Warren junr. from whom my information was derived, termed what he apprehended to have been the proximate cause of death, “a malignant inflammation of the pericardium.”

Agreeably to the wish of the deceased, no sermon was delivered at the time of the interment. Dr Lathrop’s,4 on the following Sabbath, was published; & a copy will accompany this letter, together with a pamphlet, recently published by the Histor. Society.5 If the difference, in the description of the disease of which Dr E. died, as given in the appendix to Dr L’s discourse, & hinted in this letter, appear considerable;— you may attribute it to the different views, entertained by my informant, & Dr Rand, from whom the printed account was recieved.— In the next volume of the Historical Collections, will be given a Memoir, containing a more detailed ^account^ of the late Corresponding Secretary, than seemed suitable in a Sermon.6

Your direction respecting the Xth vol. of these “Collections”,7 will be observed, by the next packet to N. York; or by the line of Baggage waggons, as on enquiry I shall find most advisable. If you please, the same address shall be observed, in regard to the Ist Volume of the New Series, now in press, & expected to be finished in all April.8

If any apology be requisite, for this intrusion, it must be found, in my attachment to Revd Dr Eliot; & the profound respect with which I am, Honoured Sir, Your very obedient Servt,