ENPages
(seq. 1)
Cambridge April 3 1775
{Sir} We are very unhappy in being again & again disappointed of an opportunity of settling our Treasury Accompts. We know your patriotic exertions in your Country's cause, & are willing to allow much to this plea for the delay of our Affairs hitherto. you are sensible, {Sir}, it is our Duty to be sollicitous for the Interest of the Society under our Care, & that we are accountable not only to the Board of Overseers, & not only to them but to the whole World. Therefore permit us to remind you that the Semiannual Meeting of the Overseers will be on the first Tuesday of May next, when the Question will undoubtedly be ask'd - [illegible] How do the College Accompts stand, which according to custom ought now to be laid before us to have been laid before us at the Semiannual Meeting in {October} last? What shall we Answer to such a Question? We Must we not intreat you to find an Interval for settling our Accompts with you before that Meeting; [illegible] especially considering that the you will about that very time be obliged to attend the Continental Congress.
Another important Consideration now occurs. While you are absent [at?] attending at the Continental Congress, it will be impossible for you to take Care of College business; but if your Accompts are settled, the Papers &c may be for a time deliverd
(seq. 2)
deliverd into the hands of the Corporation, that they may take proper Care of them in your Absence. Whereas otherwise all will be left in Confusion~—
We are persuaded, {Sir}, you will take in kindly accept what we have now written, & let the [?] give us an Answer directed to the President as soon as possible~—
We are your very {humble} {Servants} {Samuel} Langdon President in the name & at the desire of the other Members of the others Members of the Corporation.
P.S. The news we have just receivd gives me great concern to have our College Papers &c removed from Boston immediately— May not this be done without delay, even tho' you cannot now attend on the Settlement of Accompts? If you think proper to send [illegible] an Order for the delivery of them, to one of your Clerks, I will give him a receipt to his satisfaction, & take proper care of every thing untill you can see the Corporation. I find it is the general Apprehension, that it will be most prudent for the Inhabitants of Boston to remove their valuable Effects out of the Town as soon as they can. Certainly therefore the College Estate ought to be taken care of among the Rest.
I am {Sir}, your most respectful {humble} {servant} {Samuel} Langdon
April 6 To John Hancock {Esquire}
[in left-hand margin] [?] April 3. 1775 {Number} 4