( 23 )
This new decree gave our adventurers the utmoſt uneaſineſs. They ſaw that the ſteward and their mother-in-law were determined to oppreſs and enſlave them. They again met together and wrote to their father, as before, the moſt humble and perſuaſive letters; but to little purpoſe: A deaf ear was turned to all their remonſtrances; and their dutiful requeſts treated with contempt.
Finding this moderate and decent conduct brought them no relief, they had recourſe to another expedient. They bound themſelves in a ſolemn engagement not to deal[1] any more at their father’s ſhop until this unconſtitutional decree ſhould be reverſed; which they declared to be a violation of the Great Paper.
This agreement was ſo ſtrictly adhered to, that in a few months the clerks and apprentices[2] in the old Gentleman’s ſhop began to make a ſad outcry. They declared that their maſter’s trade was declining exceedingly, and that his wife and ſteward would, by their miſchievous machinations, ruin the whole farm; they forth with ſharpened their pens and attacked the ſteward, and even the old Lady herſelf with great ſeverity. Inſomuch that it was thought proper to with-
