LETTER XIII
I received yours of the 26th of Ap., which my Dearest Life may imagine was most acceptable to know you had once got some of my letters, and that you was easy in your mind upon that score, which you have all the reason in the world to be. You was much to blame that (you) did not mention money in any of your former letters, because if I had known the maner of sending money, you had got it long ere now. Having some money att London, I have ordered your Bill of 50 pounds that you have drawn to be pay’d there, and shall write to my freind there to remitt the other 50 after the best and cheapest manner. For all the money I could raise here out of your estate, and otherways by the help of friends, will not satisfy uneasy Debtors for annual rents and principal sums to prevent diligences being done, and itt is done in such maner that the money laid out that way will stand good upon the worst event that can happen. But if you will please to let me know what sum you incline to have soon, it shall be had as far as either your freinds or my credit can goe. In a little time we hop to have your affairs put in a clear way, which, so soon as it is done, you shall know, and shall be dispos’d of by your order, or as you think most proper. Ch. A(reskine) is here just now, and is thinking and laying out himself on every way that seems most for your interest; and it’s his opinion, and it seems to him the only way to make your affairs easy, to abstract yourself from your freinds for some time, by which means you may scape the fury and rage of the folks in present power; for you’ll not doubt but they have good intelligence who are with, or makes their abode with——. Nor is it impossible in a little time you may be at more freedom, with less harm to your family, not being yet attainted, which gives us a Breathing to put things in a better way. Your remaining at a certain place will no doubt hasten a sentence which will put us out of all capacity of medling with anything that belongs to you, but by indirect and not so successful methods. So as you regard your own interest and my quiet I expect your complyance in this matter; and if it were not absolute necessity, you may be assured I wold not ask you to cross your own inclination in anything, and much less in taking you from company that must be agreeable to you in a strange country.
If you have got the rest of my letters you will know that Mr. Nabit does not imploy old W. or any of his profession at present, because it was likely to prove uneasy.... It is yet impossible to tell what money Mr. Nabit will be worth; his reputation among the common sort is so high that nobody credits it.... Your youngest boy is brought very low with the chincoch which fears me, but I hope with tender care ... he will get the better of it, for ye know I am easily alarm’d. Nothing shall be wanting, and I hope in God the children shall be preserved while they are under my care, and will give us all a happy meeting which is the thing in the world I most earnestly wish.... Your mother is here. She writ you some time agoe, and till she knows that is come to your hand she will not write again. I am pretty much imploy’d, which keeps me from thinking so much as my temper and present state does incline me ... I heard from London last Post. There can be no evidence got against our two friends that is in the Fleet, which is no small mercy. Bess is at home, but will return here. Be sure to write freely your mind as it comes in your head of anything you would have done, and you will always find those two friends I formerly mentioned and myself devoted to serve you in every respect.
I am, Dr. Life, in all sincerity
Yours.
May 20.