Collections : [University of Michigan William L. Clements Library]

Sending an account of “the Distemper” at Northfield, possibly a epidemic of small pox. Eleven children died. Doolittle recounts the speech of a nine-year-old girl “about heavenly & spiritual things," and a five-year-old boy who "Discoursed Considerably of ye things of Another world."

Colonial Governor of Virginia review of the state of British Plantations and Colonies in America. Providing numerical and monetary details especially about West India colonies, Barbados, Antigua, Monserratt, Nevis, St. Chrisophers, Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Jamaica, Fortola, etc. Considerable attention is paid to the labor and costs of enslaved persons; also includes various trade information related to fisheries, numbers of vessels, and types of goods produced in the colonies.

Can't find men willing to join Sons of Liberty though many agree with their cause, including Quakers whose religious principles interfere with "vigorous measures." Comments on state of courts and disapproval of Stamp Act.

Most of these documents are updates on the state of the Spanish Empire, spanning from the conquest of Mexico to nearly when the book was assembled (1771). Other topics discussed in this book include monetary regulation, Indigenous nobility, military formations, the actions of various judges of New Spain, and regulatory reforms.

Termination of Gelston & Saltonstall partnership. Gelston to continue commission business.

Wishes to have a post established on the state road between Albany and Cooperstown. While the route May not prove profitable, believes "it is of consequence for governments to prepare the way & open as many communications as possible for the distribution of their acts... let the people be early & rightly informed of the reasons which induce governemnt to tax, to arm, to fight." Comments on elections and New York politics. Blasts the "villainous arts" of the anti-Federalists, but admits that the Federalist ticket was a weak one.

Concerning the situation with Britain, which "requires so vigilant and so close an attention…"

Writing to his daughter, admonishing her for not having corresponded for eight months. Commentary on her education in Portland, with notes on importance of arithmetic and geography. “If this species of education cannot be acquired in any Portland female Seminary, perhaps your grandmama will think it best to put you to a man’s school where young ladies go for the same purpose." Received packages from home, but the beef spoiled and keys to a trunk were not delivered. Family’s bed and table linen in Havana were stolen. Requesting shirts be made and fruit and sweet meats sent.