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greateſt reſpect and affection—they recounted to him the hardſhips and difficulties they had ſuffered in ſettling his new farm; and pointed out the great addition of wealth and power his family had acquired by the improvement of that wilderneſs; and ſhewed him that all the fruits of their labours muſt in the natural courſe of things unite, in the long run, in his money box. They alſo, in humble terms reminded him of his promiſes and engagements on their leaving home, and of the bonds[1] he had given them; of the ſolemnity and importance of the Great Paper with the curſe annexed. They acknowledged that he ought to be reimburſed the expences he was at on their account, and that it was their duty to aſſiſt in ſupporting the dignity of his family. All this they declared they were ready and willing to do; but requeſted that they might do it agreeable to the purport of the Great Paper, by applying to their ſeveral wives[2] for the keys of their money boxes and furniſhing him from thence; and not to be ſubject to the tyranny and caprice of an avaricious mother-in-law, whom they had never choſen, and of a ſteward who was their declared enemy.
Some of theſe letters were intercepted by the ſteward; others were delivered to the old Gentleman, who was at the ſame time
