Bentley, William, 1759-1819. Papers of William Bentley, 1783-1815: an inventory. Letter from James Winthrop to William Bentley, 1785 October 17. HUG 1203.5 Box 1, Harvard University Archives.

Cambridge 17 {October} 1785

{Reverend} Sir, You undoubtedly have before this time heard that our Oriental Profesorship has been vacated, & that Mr. Pearson has been elected to that department. Suspecting that S.'s? books might be transferred to him, I waited on the late Profesor & proposed to buy the Lexie. [Neptag.?] for you. He did not incline to part with it immediately, but expresing great friendship for you, promised that you shall have the refusal of it when he does part with it. I supposed at that time that his mind was too much chafed with his misfortune, for me to urge a bargain. Some prejudices now exist in his mind against his nearest neighbors which may wear off, & of course his esteem for those who have not supplanted or deceived him is as great as it

will ever probably ever be. If we should be happy enough to see you at Camrbige soon you will judge whether it is best to make him a visit. I have assured him of your regard & therefore think it probable you may get the book easier than I can.

Some time in June last, as they were repairing the road in Medford they had occasion to remove an old stone wall, & under one of the stones found about two quarts of small brass & coppercoins. None of the coin that we have copies of in the Library agree with them, & the characters do not correspond exactly with any printed alphabet that we have. At Present I suspect the characters to be numerals, & wish to see the different forms that have been used since their introduction into Europe. Will you please to inform me whether that Vol. of Phil. [Trans?], containing No. 439 is at home. It contains the belongs to the Philos. Library.

Yours affectionately, James Winthrop.

{Reverand} {William} Bentley

Salem

J Winthrop {Esquire} 17 Oct. 1785.