242
PAPERS RELATING TO THE SIX NATIONS.
ON THE INDIAN PRAYER BOOK.
Sir In searching Mr. Weyman’s Papers after his Decease, a Number of the Sheets of theIndian Common Prayer that you employed him to print off, came to Hand, but in a very imper-fect State: He had got as far as the 74th Page which completes only 9 sheets ; but as Part of severalof the sheets are not to be found, the exact Number of each is as follows, viz
A - - 280 sheets - - 417 G-400
B - - 436 - - 413 H-390
C - - 460 F - - 413 I - - - 406
I have got all the Copy but what is in the Hands of the Revd. Mr. Ogilvie, who is very willing toassist in getting the Work completed, in Case you think proper to have the same carried on.
I am informed Mr. Weyman had Money advanced him on account of the Common-Prayer ; Ihope, if tis so, the Work he has done may make compensation, as there is nothing left to pay themany Hundreds he owes, and me among the other Creditors the Sum of £300.
I am ignorant on what Conditions Mr. Weyman undertook this Job; however if he has madeany Bargain and you are willing I should compleat the work, I am satisfied to abide by his.
I do suppose the Number he intended to print must have been 500 ; if so, and that Numbermust be completed, the whole must be done over again ; but if 400 would suffice, that Quantitycould be compleated by only reprinting the Letters A & H.
As this Matter entirely depends on you, whatever Orders you may think proper to transmit me,with regard to the same, shall be strictly observed by, Sir
Your very humble Servant
Aug. 26,1768. $ -
*„* Hugh Gaine was an Irishman, and served his time to James Magee, printer, of Belfast . We learn from Thomas,that he came to New York in 1745, and worked as journeyman to Parker. His wages at first were a dollar and a quarter aweek; he afterwards was allowed a trifle for hoard. To his credit it is stated, that even under these discouraging circum-stances his economy and frugality were such that he saved money, and with the assistance of a friend imported a press andtypes, with which he opened a printing establishment about the year 1750, to which he added a Bookstore, in Hanover Square.In 1752, he commenced the publication of the New York Mercury. Having printed in his paper of Nov. 12, 1753, a part ofthe proceedings of the Assembly, he was brought to the bar of the House and reprimanded. He printed the Journals of theAssembly from 1691 to 1765, 2 v. fol., and in January 1768 succeeded Weyman as public printer. Sir Wm. Johnson, forwhom he printed the Book of Common Prayer in the Mohawk Tongue, patronized him, and in the collection of thatBaronet’s Mss. in the State Library, are a number of Gaine ’s letters, giving Sir William the earliest intelligence, and most ofthe current gossip of the day. He found it very difficult to navigate through the tempest of the Revolution. At first heremoved his office and business to Newark, N. J. He, however, returned to New York,and resided in that city throughout itsoccupancy by the British. His Mercury was discontinued at the peace, after an existence of about 31 years. He obtainedpermission from the State Legislature to remain in the city after its restoration to the Americans. After which he confinedhimself to book printing. He was punctual in his dealings, of correct morals, and respectable as a citizen. He began life as apoor man, but by close application to business amassed a fortune. He died April 25, 1807, aged 81 years.— Ed.