Boston Jany. 24th. 1757 Sr.,

I recd. yrs. per Capt. Jones & the things you sent by him. I am very glad to hear of yr. health & prospect of Business I hope it may do well. I assure you I think of you with much Tenderness, tho' I always write in such an hurry as not to express it. I expect the Time draws on wn. you will become a Natural Father, may it be safe to yr. helpmeet & joyfull to you both. As for affairs here, 'tis impossible to write 'em. Ld. Louden1 is in Town, what's to be done I know not. My Father grows weaker & more childish, Aunt Hunt is as crazy as ever but I believe comfortable, Eunice suffers much affliction in the Body, thanks to good Providence I'm hearty & hum grum, Sister Greenleaf expects next Month. If the Devil don't Sow discord Among the Sons of Men, my Labour will be losting. I meet with difficulty abt. the Note of Coll. Hills,2 he promises fair, but Unluckily before I was aware has confined himself. Write me wt. must be done with it. You say Knox has Ordered payment by his Wife. I han't seen her, because if she would pay me I have not the Note to deliver up; but the Note is endors'd & therefore if you see fit you may sue it. As for Leigh's Note, I am at a Loss wt. to do about it. Some people do best by moderation. I have heard that he is in good Business, & if so, you may mind him of it & urge paymt. but for the present I would do Nothing else. I have enquired again concerning Benja. Allen,3 & find him so poor that it matters no great whether he be honest, tho' they say he is. His pay is 20/ pr. month, & he has a family to support. Since I began to write I have been to Mrs. Knox's, & she says she has had no Orders abt. the Note, nor has she any thing to pay it with if she had. You inform me you have sold some of the things, you did not send the Leather, Nor the Basons as I wrote, by which I conclude they will sell best there. As you have leisure, pray enquire wt. the Case of Draws7 will fetch there. I think of Nothing else at present, pray write me all that occurs to yr. mind. Pray send money. Yrs.,

RTP

LbC ; addressed: "To Mr. James Freeman Halifax by Capt. Jenkins."

1.

John Campbell, 4th earl of Loudoun (1705–1782), the major-general who commanded all forces in British North America from Jan. 1756 until his recall in Dec. 1757 (DNB).

2.

Capt. John Hill (d. 1777) was a Boston distiller and merchant (Thwing Index). See James Freeman to RTP, Halifax, Oct. 12, 1756.

3.

Not identified.