1766.] TO JOHN BART RAM. 441 



he deserves a thousand times better fate ; an unpleasant, unhealthy 

 situation ; six negroes, rather plagues than aids to him, of whom 

 one is so insolent as to threaten his life, one a useless expense, one 

 a helpless child in arms ; * * * * distant thirty 

 long miles from the metropolis, no money to pay the expense of a 

 journey there upon the most important occasions, over a road 

 always bad, and in wet weather wholly impassable, to which might 

 be enumerated a great many smaller, and perhaps some imaginary 

 evils, the natural offspring of so many substantial ones ; these, I 

 say, are discouragements enough to break the spirits of any modest 

 young man ; and more than any man should be exposed to, without 

 his own free acceptance, unless his crimes had been so great as to 

 merit a state of exile. 



I had been informed, indeed, before my visit to Mr. W. B., that 

 he had felt the pressure of his solitary and hopeless condition so 

 heavily, as almost to drive him to despondency. He expressed an 

 inclination to decamp from the place that I have endeavoured to 

 describe ; but was supported, by advice of a friend, to wait until he 

 should see me, who waa then daily expected in East Florida. He 

 did not open his mind so fully to myself; but rather modestly 

 appealed to me, upon his circumstances and situation, accompanying 

 his complaints with the most dutiful and affectionate mention of his 

 father, to whom he requested I would take some notice of them in 

 my next letter : in answer to which, I gave him my sentiments 

 very candidly, encouraging him at the same time to persevere until 

 he should hear from you. I have presumed to say so much, in 

 consequence of my promise to him upon that request, as well as 

 from a natural and irresistible inclination to relieve every virtuous 

 man in distress : and as the foregoing representation can have no 

 evil effects, however it may be imperfect, or appear to be officious, 

 I trust that I shall not suffer under your candid interpretation. 



After this account of your son's circumstances, I might add a 

 list of several necessary articles beside exchange of good negroes, 

 in place of almost useless ones, that are wanting and will be wanted 

 to mend them a little ; but no doubt he has given some needful 

 hints on that head, and if his modesty has restrained his pen, you 

 will, if you pay any regard to what I have been so bold as to write 

 upon so slight an acquaintance as ours, cheerfully and quickly give 

 orders to supply him with such things as shall be necessary to 



