John Bowen, New York, to John Rippon, London, 28 January 1801.

New York Jany 28, 1801.

Dear Sir

         Having been informd by Mr Cornelius Davis that he had declind sending you any Magazines since he dropt the Publishg of the Theological & commenc’d the Missionary Magazine which is more impartial wishg a wider field open’s for Religious information, induced me to purchase six numbers as the[y] contain some pleasing revivals in different Denominations with a few remarkable Conversions ^that are Novel^ and a full Account of all the Missionary Societys in the United States, supposing them to be very acceptable to you I have inclosed the six numbers with Minutes of the New York & Warwick ^Baptist^ Associations ^as a small parcell^ was all ^I^ could obtain, have directed them to you, to the Care of Capt Fisher of the Ship Fair American, who am [sic] you will see at the New York Coffee House in Exchange hours, & inform you what Chain his Ship lays at, I recievd a Letter from Mr Burton of Halifax Nova Scotia – wherein he mentions of the Church having purchas’d a Large Storehouse in the Center of the Town and are fitting it up for a Meeting House which he says will come much Cheaper than Mr Merchantons, he mentions some pleasing revivals in Mr Chipinhams Congregation at Cornwallis, and at another part of the Province the name I do not recollect as the Letter is mislaid, that part of his Letter respecting you, I can give Verbatim, he says I have wrote three Letters to Doctor Rippon but have receivd no Answer, Nevertheless since that I have receivd many Gracious answers from Heaven, & respectful Answers from eminent Ministers of Christ –

         I have agreed with Mr Corns Davis to send you two Numbers or three at a time as it suits the sailing of the London Ships, on Condition that you are agreeable to send yours ^The Baptist Regr^ in return; his numbers are published one every two months, & the Register twice or thrice times a year, which contains as much matter nearly as the six former. Mr Davis waits your Answer.

         The Meeting House in Fayette Street is rebuilt 60 feet in length by 43 feet wide seated with a Table pew & Vestry after the English plan – nothing more particular respecting N. York, except it is Politicks which Change is more favourable to Republican principles, on the Election of the President & Vice Pd – Mrs Bowen joins with me in our Kind respects to you & family & my respects to any of my ^enquirg^ Brethren of the Church in Carter Lane who still remains as one of the Unworthiest Members but,

                                 Your Sincere Friend

                                             Jno Bowen

Please to direct to me care of Mr Miller

No 318 Pearl Street

New York

N. B. I hope you’l favour me with a letter as it will afford Mrs B with many of our English Brethren here a Gratification to here [sic] of your Welfare as respecting the Church & Religion in London &c in this distressing time the [that] the poor & people of middling circumstances must Experience in the National Calamity on account the dearness of Provisions & Accumulated Burden of Taxes, also what you think of Dr Livingston’s Sermon & Dr Rogers charge to the Missionary &c I enclosd with the Magazine

Address: Revd John Rippon D. D. | No 11 Grange Road |Bermondsey Parish | Southwark | London

Postmark: 14 March 1801

Text: John Rippon Folder, RG no. 1285, American Baptist Historical Society Archives, Atlanta.