26o THE ANCESTOR in the course of so long and large intercourse met with some dishonest traders ; of one house at New York he says, * I have had too many bad chaps [i.e., buyers, chapmen ; a term very frequently used by him in this sense'] in America, but they are the very worst ' ; in another, * In truth most of the Americans are too cunning for me.' One Mr. William Fletcher, who left Boston for the safer Danish island of St. Eustathia, leaving his debts unpaid, excited special indignation ; but in 1763 his character was re-established, a composition was paid, and correspondence resumed.' (' Mr. Carr-EUison's MSS.' p. 92) 1764, Oct. 26. — In a letter to Sam. Wentworth, esq., at Boston (who died in Sept. 1766), mention is made of the return of one son, H. Wentworth, who had been with Messrs. Carr, and given them great satisfaction, and of another son at Eton, who appears to have re- turned home in May, 1765. (Ibid. p. 94) 1765, July 23. — Mr. William Dunbar, of Thurso in Caithness,
- the son of a very reputable clergyman,' is strongly recommended for
employment on going out to New York, (Ibid. p. 95). 1768, Apr. 29. — Mr, Ralph Inman is requested to make quest for 'a very unfortunate poor lady at Roxbury,' Lady Hesilrige, wife of the son [Robert] of Sir Arthur Hesilrige, who is enquired for by Mr. Jonathan Ormston, Sir Arthur's trustee, and who must make proof of her marriage. Also to interest himself on behalf of a poor woman of Newcastle, Hannah Nicholson, who has never received a legacy of JQ200 left her in 1763 by her son Edward Nicholson in Virginia and retained by one James Hunter there ; ' we are determined to be at any expense or trouble in order to procure her justice,' (Ibid, p, 95) 1768, Nov. 18. — Letter to Lady Hesilrige at Boston : 120/. to be paid to her as the interest due on the 500/. legacy from the death of her father [-in-law]. Sir Arthur Hesilrige, and 20/. annually. 'I most sincerely lament that your unhappy situation and worth were not known before the death of Sir Arthur ; sure I am you and yours would have been provided for, but it is the hand of Providence, which is still able to conduct and assist you. No doubt you heard that Sir Arthur left his estate to the youngest of five sons, and even thought him very un- worthy of it, and [I] doubt he has not been mistaken by the accounts I have of him. He is not yet of age ; when he is I pray God he may have an inclination equal to his ability to assist you. For your son, as he will have the title, ought to have the estate likewise. I had much talk with Mr. Ormston as to paying you in the 500/,, but this he apprehends cannot be done till your children are of age, but when they get an estate in this neighbourhood sold for the payment of legacies and the other sons' fortunes, he will consult the nobleman [lord May- nard] who was left joint trustee with him, (Ibid, p, 95)
