Will you be so good as to read the inclosed Letter from Dr Belknap and tell me, from your Recollection of what passed in Congress in 1779. 1780 & 1781, whether there is any Colour for the Imputation cast on our Country by Dr Kippis.1 I cannot say as Dr Belknap has been informed that Dr Kippis is my Correspondent. I never wrote a Letter to him or received a Letter from him that I recollect.— I visited him and he visited me I often heard him in his Pulpit, and frequently met him in society in London, and ever conceived and entertained a good opinion of his Candour, and a great Idea of his Information.— I doubt not he wrote what he believed: but, he has certainly been misinformed.

I doubt not he will readily correct his Error, as soon as he shall be convinced of it.2 And if you will be so obliging as to recollect what passed within your Knowledge relative to Dr Franklin’s Recommendation, and write it to me, I will convey it to Dr Belknap and perhaps take some other Measures to shew that Dr Franklins Liberality of sentiment was never censured, but on the Contrary was admired by his Fellow Citizens. With great / Esteem I have the Honour to / be, sir your most obedient

I have received your favour of the 30th. of November and transmitted to Dr Belknap as you desire the Papers inclosed. The Utensils and ornaments represented in the Drawings are great Curiosities, and Seem to shew more Skill in Art, than any of the native Indians, at this day are possessed of. I am not enough in the habit of Antiquarian Speculations to hazard any Conjectures concerning them. I have never interested myself much in the Inquiries concerning the ancient Inhabitants of this Country, or the Part of the World from 361 which they first emigrated. I should not be at all Surprized, if hereafter evidence should be discovered that America was once a seat of Arts Science and Civilization: nor should I wonder if any one Should prophecy that Europe, will cease to be what it is and become as Savage and barbarous as America was three hundred years ago. The Temper and Principles prevailing at present in that quarter of the World, have a Tendency to as general and total a destruction, as ever befel Tyre and Sidon Sodom and Gomorrah. If all Religion and Governments all Arts and sciences are destroyed the Trees will grow up, Cities will moulder into common Earth, and a few human Beings may be left naked to chase the Wild Beasts with Bows and arrows.—

Printing they Say will prevent it— But it would be very consistent with the present professed Principles to destroy every Type and Press as Engines of Aristocracy, and murder every Pen and Ink Man as aiming at superiority.—

I hope in all Events that Religion and Learning will find an Asylum in America: But too many of our fellow Citizens are carried away in the dirty Torrent of dissolving Europe.—

I thank you sir for giving me an Opportunity to see those Antiquities, and shall be glad to see any others that may appear.

I am, sir with great Esteem, your / most obedient