Autograph letter signed : Boston, to Peter Collinson 1754 Dec. 29.

Discussing his relationship to "our Proprietor" [Thomas Penn] and wondering "why he should imagine me not his Friend, since I cannot recollect any one Act of mine that could denominate me otherwise... The Truth is, I have sought his Interest more than his Favour; others perhaps have sought both, and obtain'd at least the latter. But in my Opinion, great Men are not always best serv'd by such as show on all Occasions a blind Attachment to them: An Appearance of Impartiality in general, gives a Man sometimes much more Weight when he would serve in particular Instances;" expressing his appreciation that his last paper was so well received by the Society; relating the current status of the Albany Plan of Union and enclosing a copy of the treaty; saying "Every Body cries, a Union is absolutely necessary; but when they come to the Manner and Form of the Union, their weak Noddles are presently distracted;" enclosing "a Paper I drew up containing the motives on which the Commissioners at Albany proceeded in forming their Plan;" adding "For tho' I projected the Plan and drew it, I was oblig'd to alter some Things contrary to my Judgment, or should never have been able to carry it through."