Jefferson and John Adams had an interesting correspondence concerning this book, begun by Adams in a letter to Jefferson dated from Quincy October 12, 1812: “I have a Curiosity to learn something of the Character Life and death of a gentleman, whose name was Wollaston, who came from England with a Company of a few dozens of persons in the Year 1622, took possession of an height on Massachusetts Bay built houses there for his People, and after looking about him and not finding the face of Nature smiling enough for him, went to Virginia to seek a better situation, leaving the Government of his little band, in the hands of Thomas Morton. As I have not found any Account of him after his departure from his little flock, in any History or record of New England, I should be very much obliged to you, for any information you can give me, of any notice that remains of him in Virginia.

"My curiosity has been stimulated by an event of singular Oddity. John Quincy Adams, at Berlin, purchased at an Auction a Volume, containing three pamphlets bound together; Woods Prospect, Wonder working Providence of Zions Saviour in New England, and The New English Canaan, or New Canaan, containing an Abstract of New England, composed in three Books; the first Book setting forth the Original of the natives, their manners and customs, together with their tractable nature and love towards the English. The second Book setting forthe the natural Endowments of the Country, and what staple Commodities it yeildeth. The third Book setting forth, what people are planted there, their prosperity, what remarkable accidents have happened since the first planting of it, together with their tenents and practice of their Church.

"Written by Thomas Morton of Cliffords Inne gentleman, upon ten years knowledge and experiment of the Country. Printed at Amsterdam by Jacob Frederick Stam, in the year 1637. The Book is dedicated to The Commissioners of the privy Councell, for the Government of all his Majesties foreign Provinces.

"To add a trifle to the whimsical Circumstances attending the Aventures of this Volume, there are a few Words in manuscript on a blank leaf, which had I seen them in any other place, I should have sworn were in the hand Writing of my Father.

"The design of the Writer appears to have been to promote two Objects 1. to spread the fame and exaggerate the Advantages of New England 2. to destroy the Characters of the English In- ”