1772.] TO HUMPHRY MARSHALL. 597 



engagement as I know how to undergo. It is from this place, 

 commonly, that I endeavour to borrow a little time for my corre- 

 spondence. But the last year, I was even deprived of this oppor- 

 tunity, by the necessity I was put under of defending myself 

 against an adversary of the worst sort, a man of much cunning, 

 and very little principle. From this I am in part released, though 

 not entirely; for though a court of justice set aside an award most 

 partial and unjust, even from the very evidence he himself brought 

 to prevent its being set aside ; yet his rancour is such, that in any- 

 thing he can possibly disquiet me, I know he will endeavour to do 

 it. t This affair claimed a good deal of the time that I could have 

 wished to dispose of in a more agreeable manner ; to have recruited 

 my worn out strength; and to have acknowledged the kindnesses 

 I had received from my correspondents, thyself in particular. 



But such was my embarrassment, both during my stay here, and 

 the crowd of business that oppressed me at my return to London, 

 that it was not in my power to write a single letter to any friend 

 in America, except one or two on business of extreme urgency. 



I have given thee this full account of my situation, in order to 

 inform thee of the occasion of my silence, and which I think thou 

 will acknowledge is not of the least moment. Another distressing 

 circumstance, likewise, during the winter and the spring, kept my 

 mind exceedingly engaged ; and that was my deceased brother 

 Samuel's indisposition. He lived near two hundred miles from 

 me, so that it was not in my power to attend him personally. My 

 sister was much with him ; and I saw him before his conclusion. 

 But the necessity of frequently corresponding with his physicians, 

 and my own anxiety about him, joined to all the other occupations 

 I was engaged in, indeed, kept my head and hands and heart as 

 fully engaged as I know how to express. lie was removed just as 

 our yearly meeting was over ; and I came down hither to feel more 

 fully than I could before, how much of my comfort in this life was 

 taken away from me. A brother a friend a counsellor an ex- 

 ample a cause of much reputation to his family and the church, 

 all in one valuable life. But we know not what is best ; only, that 

 we endeavour to profit by such dispensations, and to sit looser and 

 looser to every enjoyment here. By the favour of Providence, this 

 I hope will be my future engagement, and to look at the end of all 

 things. 



Thy exceedingly valuable box of plants came very safe, and I 



