thing; and by other similar accounts, I was carried from the excess of grief to that of joy. I wrote since to my parents and relations, felicitating them, myself, and the whole world, upon the occasion. It is customary to kill the great very often, to let the world know that they are but mortals, though immortal. The late Frederic, King of Prussia, died more deaths than, I believe, any King in Europe, because he was the greatest.

I beg thee, my dear friend, to be careful of thy own health, while thou art so indefatigably engaged in the preservation of that blessing in others.

I mean, if possible, to write a few lines to Granville Sharp, whom I love for his benevolence; also to Mr. Clarkson, who has laboured so much, and so effectually, for the most oppressed people under the sun. I am unacquainted with them both, but I consider them as relations, and cannot hear their names mentioned, but with an unspeakable pleasure.

I have sent thee the copy of a letter which I have just written, in answer to one from the President of the Society for the Abolition of Slavery in France, who have styled themselves The Friends of the Blacks, Les Amis des Noirs. I cannot but urge the propriety of settling Africa; and whatever may be said with respect to the difficulties, I can never be happy till I have offered my services. I think I can render more good there, than in any other region of the globe, and I am therefore irresistibly led to desire an opportunity of exerting my

endeavours in favour of that country. Difficulties. rise up and present themselves before my view, like mountains; but I have resolved to let nothing rise higher than my mind, and am certain I can look down with perfect indifference upon all obstruction, were I but once appointed to the superintendence of this undertaking. I have given up all ideas of obtaining happiness, till the completion of my prospects be obtained, for I am confident that this Settlement will be productive of more good than any thing that could be offered in favour of the Blacks. I must request thee, my dear friend, to forward it as much as lies in thy power, and do not consider the sacrifice I wish to make, as any sacrifice; for I am young, active, weaned from my dearest connexions, and single. I have motives for this undertaking, which no other in my circumstances can be likely to have; and though many may possess much superior abilities, I am certain no one possesses more willingness to submit to the difficulties of the execution than myself. It is in vain for any of my friends to attempt to persuade me from it. I desire only the means of settling the Blacks there, and will leave my appointment to the will of those I wish to benefit. I shall assume no power, nor need any one be jealous of dignity among such a people. But I am afraid I tire thee upon this subject. I wrote upon it often, but have received no letters from thee that tend to animate me to this undertaking.;

I intend to depart hence for Tortola soon, to

stay there, in anxious expectation of something being done for the Blacks. The Parliament ought not to have delayed their determination to abolish the trade. Every man who is made a slave this day will curse their procrastination. The rights of millions ought not to be trifled with. The Settlement, however, may be made, if slavery, or even if the trade be not abolished, and will give much aid in bringing about that event.

Believe me to be, with the most sincere wishes for thy happiness,

Thy affectionate Friend,

W. THORNTON.

LETTER CCLXXVIII.

From the same.

Philadelphia, June 15, 1790.

I am sorry that some of the southern members disgraced themselves so much, by abusing, in such indecent language, the Quakers, for their petition in favour of the abolition of the slave trade in this

country. It appears very strange that this land of freedom should permit such language in favour of slavery. The tree has grown very large, but the fruit is not quite ripe. I hope there will be enough for the Africans to taste of soon.. I am anxious to

know how the Settlement is likely to go on in Africa. My mind is still there, as I think much good may be done by that affair. Let me hear from thee soon, I request thee, and give me all the information respecting it that thou thinkest in any degree interesting; for to me it will be much so.

Poor Franklin is gone, and the worm respecteth not the philosopher. He did much in his day. Many worthies are still left, who I hope will not neglect the work of the present moment.

My letter must go immediately. Farewell, my dearly beloved friend and countryman ; and may Heaven bless thee and thy family.

W. T.

LETTER CCLXXIX.

From the same.

Tortola, July 31, 1791.

I have lately been composing 'some essays on language; the first is entitled Cadmus, or a Treatise on the Elements of Written Language; illustrating, by a philosophical division of speech, the power of each character; thereby mutually fixing the orthography and orthoepy. The second, An Essay on the most simple Character that can be found, for writing with Facility, Expedition, and

Legibility. The third, An Essay on the mode of teaching the surd, and consequently, dumb, to speak. These shall never be published without being presented to my worthy friend, nor shall I ever forget to do myself the justice to attempt to recommend myself to thee more strongly than even thy friendly partiality has done, by exhibiting to thee my best productions, if ever I deem them worthy.

W. T.

LETTER CCLXXX.

From the same.

Tortola, May 5, 1792.

I have completed a piece, which I mentioned in my last, on the elements of written language, and I prove clearly, that there are thirty letters in the English language, twenty-one of which are vowels, the remaining nine are aspirates. There is no language that I cannot write perfectly (with regard to sound I mean), nor indeed is there a dialect that I cannot reduce to writing, provided I can pronounce it. Upon this plan I can shew clearly that there is not a sentence, in all the books