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Now, the ſteward continued to hate the new ſettlers with exceeding great hatred, and determined to renew his attack upon their peace and happineſs. He artfully inſinuated to the old Gentleman and his fooliſh wife, that it was very mean and unbecoming in them to receive the contributions of the people of the new farm, towards ſupporting the dignity of his family, through the hands of their reſpective wives: that upon this footing it would be in their power to refuſe his requiſitions whenever they ſhould be thought to be unreaſonable, of which they would pretend to be judges themſelves; and that it was high time they ſhould be compelled to acknowledge his arbitrary power, and his wife’s Omnipotence.
For this purpoſe, another decree[1] was prepared and publiſhed, ordering that the new ſettlers ſhould pay a certain ſtipend up on particular goods, which they were not allowed to purchase any where but at their father’s ſhop; and that this ſtipends ſhould not be deemed an advance upon the original price of the goods, but be paid on their arrival at the new farm, for the expreſs purpoſe of ſupporting the dignity of the old Gentleman’s family, and of defraying the expences he affected to afford them.
- ↑ Act laying a duty on Glaſs, &c.
