Please to name the correspondent whom you have employed, or known, in any such place." I answer, that Barbadoes, Jamaica, Virginia, and other places in the West Indies, are very proper to be made use of in making returns for England, of their commodities, the more advantageous than direct from hence. For instance, molasses has been this year at 12d a gallon, besides the charge of casks, &c., in Barbadoes; and much molasses, which has been shipped of hence for England, cost here 2s a gallon, besides other charges of commission, cooperage, &c. The freight from Barbadoes being much the same as from hence, I judge it more advantageous to have returns of that kind from Barbadoes, than from New England; sugar and cotton are much the same. Places proper in Europe to make returns to England from, and are much improved for that end, from hence, are Bilboa, Cadiz, Oporto, and the Streights; where the markets are variable, according to the plenty or scarcity of the commodities. For correspondents in Barbadoes, I have had business with Mr. William Adams and his brother Conrad Adams. William served his time in this towne with Major Browne; has now married a good fortune in Barbadoes, and understands business well, and is a faithful man. His brother Conrad lived some time in this towne, is now at Barbadoes, a worthy man. If any thing considerable should be sent that way, it may be best to consign them in partnership for France and Leward Islands. I know none there; but here is one John Bradstreet, son of Doctor Samuel Bradstreet, about 24 years old, who served his time with Moses Byfield and Mico; who has an estate in Jamaica, and is going this fall to settle there, whom I would commend to you, if you have occasion to send thither. At Jamaica, are sugar and log-wood for returns, and other things; peices of eight, &c., for Bilboa, Couzin Hayler can inform you.

5th. “Whether Salem or Boston be the best place for trade?" Answer, Boston, in some respects, Salem in others. Both well improved, may do well.

6th. "If Boston, whether you can manage business at Boston while you reside at Salem ?" reside at Salem ?" For answer thereunto, I would propound to your consideration, that I have a son whose name is Nathaniel, now at prentice with Mr. Benjamin Browne, who has given his master great satis

faction in his service; is twenty-one years of age the 1st of April next; and then out of his time. I intend, God willing, he shall wait upon you by the first ship after he is out of his time, and hope he will be very capable of business, being bred up a Salem merchant, and went to the Latin school till he was fourteen years old. Now if any business considerable should happen, I do propound that my son Nat., should live at Boston, and manage a warehouse there, and what goods may be proper for our trade at Salem, I would manage here, and should be often also at Boston, to oversee and assist there; also my eldest son John, whom I brought up at home, is very capable of business, a very hopeful young man as any in our towne, sober and judicious. He was married at 20 years of age to Hannah, daughter to Captain Samuel Gardner; is now 25 years old; has made a good progress in the world; built him a good house; has one fishing vessel; is Lieutenant of one of our military companies, and register to the Judge for probate of wills and granting administrations for this county; and well accepted in the place. Now, if business worth while should offer, he may likewise be concerned. He has one daughter, and 2 sons, Mary, John and Samuel. There is now in England, one Mr. Edward Broomfield, a Merchant of Boston, and a Justice of peace; another to whom I refer you for further satisfaction about these matters. He married our Colonel Danforth's daughter. And I would further propound my opinion, that, considering that money is of late grown so exceeding scarce amongst us, that the making of returns for England, by the way of Barbadoes, Leeward-Islands, Bilboa, Oporto, Cadiz, and Isle of Wight, would be more easy and safe than direct for England; and it's probable, more advantageous; because, money being scarce, and returns direct, difficult to be got, debts must be contracted to procure money, which will be hardly got in; whereas, a man may sell more goods, and better get in his debts more speedily and certainly, for barter of goods for those markets, than direct.

7th. I have enclosed and sent a list of those goods which I judge proper for Salem trade, and as near as I know the cost in England, and what they may be sold here; though there must be allowance given for variation of prices here and there, as they may happen to be scarce

or plenty, for there, goods and every thing (which is not the produce of this country), that is fit for the use of mankind for use and delight, is proper: Though I do not advise to send any extra high priced things, the meaner sort most vendible.

Your former letter you mention, is not yet come to my hand. I have not received any from you, since that of 26th of September, 1698.

If your attornys, before your arrival, or yourself after your arrival, should see cause to send any goods to me, I shall endeavor faithfully to do my utmost for your advantage, and follow the direction given me thereabout. For any thing you may be desirous to know about the circumstances of the trade, government and concerns of this country, the forenamed Mr. Broomfield will fully satisfy you.

It is reported that the Earle of Bellamont, our present Governour, is like to be sent for home to England. If so that you should incline to give yourself up to the fatigues and trouble of Government, its possible you may obtain it, and I believe you would be very acceptable to the generality of the people.

I have not heard any thing of our brother Thomas, since he went away out of this country; do'nt doubt he is come to some untimely end.

I do heartily thank you for the good will you express in your letter to me and mine, and hope there will some good arise to us therefrom; but dear brother, the uncertainty of markets at home and abroad; the scarcity of money; the doubts I have, that there will not be an encouraging profit in sending this way, make me doubt that you and I shall be frustrated in our expectation. However, if when you have had the best advice you can from hence and in England concerning trade, if you see cause to be concerned this way, I will do you the best service I can.

*

Dear brother, I, my wife and children, do desire heartily, that we may be made happy in the enjoyment of your good company and advice before other things. My dear wife saith that she is almost reconciled to *

[The remainder of this letter is lost.]

* **

Apprehend.

[There is also a paper written by the venerable parent, dated May 1, 1705, entitled "My last words to my children." It begins with stating, that he came to New England in the year 1629, with his honored Father; that he was acknowledged to be a member of the purest [church] of Salem, and upon examination by the Pastor, was received to full communion, and admitted to the Lord's Supper."-We learn, elsewhere, that "he was the first person admitted to this church, after its formation."-In the writing before us, in a strain of deep and solemn piety, he gives his paternal counsels; and thus concludes;-" Amongst other good books, I desire you to read often, my little book of making peace with God. It contains the substance of all saving truth: and so the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Your dying father, JOHN HIGGINSON.]

COLONEL QUARRY'S MEMORIAL

TO THE LORDS COMMISSIONERS OF TRADE AND PLANTATIONS,

ON THE STATE OF THE AMERICAN COLONIES.

Copied from a Ms. in the Library of the British Museum ; and communicated to the Massachusetts Historical Society, by J. FRANCIS FISHER, Esq., of Philadelphia; a Córresponding Member.

[Colonel Quarry was Judge of the Admiralty in New York and Pennsylvania, and a kind of Government Spy in this country. See the Memoirs of the Pennsylvania Historical Society, for a memorial of his, on the subject of the state of the Colony of Pennsylvania and William Penn's replies. He was said to be of the council for five governments at one time, viz. New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. Beverley, in his History of Virginia, pp. 92, 96 and 97, represents him as joining with Nicholson, the then Governor of that Colony, in unfavorable representations against the Colonies. He died about the year 1712.]

COLONEL QUARRY'S MEMORIAL.

The State of Pennsylvania.-I received your Lordships Letter of the 25th of ffebruary, with her Majesty's Order in Council, relating to the Courts of Judicature in this Province and the three lower Counties, which I do assure your Lordships, came very seasonably to quiet the minds of the People, which were in a perfect ferment, occasioned by the Proceedings of the last Sessions, held the 10th of April.

Courts of Judicature in Pennsylvania.-In my last, I gave your Lordships an Account that the Goal of this place was thronged with Murderers and ffelons, and that Governour Hamilton had given a Special Commission to two Gentlemen, to try to make a Goal Delivery: But the Jury summoned, would not serve on matters of so high a nature, as the lives of the Queen's subjects, since Mr. Hamilton was not qualified as the Law directs, not having Her Majesty's approbation; so that Commission fell; and, in a few days after the Sessions came on, there was a strong debate upon the Bench, about trying of these murderers and ffelons. Some were cautious, and proposed to have them tryed by Judges, Jury and Evidences, sworn and qualified according to Law, but the Major Part carried it, for trying them without any Oath, or so much as the Affirmation to be taken either by Judges, Jury or Evidences, and accordingly they proceeded. At first the People could not believe that they were in earnest, but to their great astonishment, they found them as good as their words.

Several of the Judges left the Bench and refused to act with 'em, and so did Mr. Pen's Attorney General, however they quickly appointed another Attorney, and proceeded. One person was found guilty of murder, whom they condemned to be hanged, and pronounced the sentence of Death; others the Jury found only guilty of manslaughter, who were immediately burnt in the hand, and put to their Clergy by the Court. All Quakers, and others for Rape and less crimes, discharged.