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428 PRELIMINARY NOTICE. Collections of the Indians in New England," &c., was first published by the Massachusetts Historical Society, in 1792. For their MS. copy of the present work, the Antiquarian Society are indebted to Mr. Jared Sparks, the learned editor of the Writings of Washington, and other valuable works, well known to the public. The following letter from Mr. Sparks to a member of the Council of the Society, contains all the information relating to the original MS. that has been obtained. Letter of Mr. Sparks. " Cambridge, Sept. 4th, 1835. "Dear Sir, " The Rev. Dr. Harris has requested me to state to you what I know respecting the manuscript letter of Daniel Gookin to Robert Boyle, on the Praying Indians, which is about to be printed by the Antiquarian Society. I have very little knowledge of the matter. Five years ago, I obtained the manuscript from the Rev. Mr. Campbell, of Pittsburg who had recently brought it from England. It was put into his hands by a clergyman in that country. Mr. Campbell loaned it to me. A copy was taken, and the original was returned to him. It bore every mark of antiquity, and I have no doubt of its genuineness. The man- uscript was examined by Mr. Savage and Dr. Harris, who were also satisfied that the letter was written by Gookin. In short, the internal evidence is of itself a sufficient proof. Mr. Campbell told me that he had promised to return the original to its owner in England. " I am, Sir, very respectfully, " Your obedient servant, " Jared Sparks. " Joseph Willard, Esq., Boston:' The notes to the work have been chiefly supplied by Mr. Samuel G. Drake, of Boston, author of The Book of the Indians, (of which the fifth edition has recently appeared.) to whom the Publishing Com* mittee would here express their obligations. The valuable documents immediately succeeding the History, it is believed, are now for the first time printed. The originals were fur- nished to the Committee by Mr. Lemuel Shattuck, of Boston, author of a History of the Town of Concord. Publishing Committee.