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452 [Doc. 162.
SWEDENBORG’S OFFICIAL LIFE.
C.
THE COLLEGE OF MINES TO THE KING ."
Received May 31, 1736.
College of Mines, May 26, 1736.
Most mighty and Most gracious King,
Assessor Emanuel Swedenborg has informed
Your Royal Majesty in a humble petition, that the work
which he published abroad two years ago, and which consists
of instructions and descriptions in metallurgy, and also of
new principles in philosophy, was merely an introductory
part of what he has intended to develope more fully, of
which he has also spoken in his former work , and which
additional part he has likewise promised to publish. But as he
cannot elaborate such a work, requiring profound thought and
much labour, with that coherence and accuracy which it demands,
so long as he must apply his time and thoughts to his public
official duties at the College, therefore, in order to follow out
his design, and his well-meant purpose, and on account of
the great extent of this work, he begs in all humility gracious
leave to absent himself for three or four years from the College,
and to bring this above-mentioned work to a close abroad.
As your Royal Majesty has graciously instructed the
College to express a humble opinion with regard to this
petition, the Coilege first of all took occasion to hear further
particulars concerning his design from Assessor Swedenborg
himself, when he declared, that inasmuch as it was necessary
for him , in order to accomplish his work, to be free and
relieved from his office for three or four years (as he has himself
stated in humility), and as he well understands, that it is of
great importance that this office should be filled meanwhile by an
able man who has acquired experience in these matters, he is on
that account willing to give up half his salary, or 600 dalers
in silver, and not to demand this again until a new vacancy
occurs; so that the College may have this part of his salary
at its disposal, and that it may accrue to the benefit of the
* Preserved in the “Riks-Arkivet” among the letters addressed to the
King in 1736.
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