from Colonel Campbell for the use of the Sternes_ by this ship, as none but Company’s servants are allowed Bills on the Company, on their own Account.—M^r. D, cannot swear, that this money is his own Property—however, I account to you or them for it with Interest—and if this Restriction as to Bills, is not taken off by the Mocha ship, I will lay out the money in Pearl (as that I am told sells advantageously in England, Very much so at present) and send it by Cap^t. Jones, or somebody for their use; and by such means, they can in no way be losers, and I hope it will be no Inconvenience to them, to wait a few months longer for it, then I wished them to do—as I imagine their Expectations from me, must have ceased, with the last Bill, I transmitted to England.—O my dear Friend for God sake, pay them all the money of mine in your Hands—would it were twice as much! the Ring too is much at M^{rs}. Sternes service—as should be every thing I have in the world, rather than I would freely owe the shadow of an obligation to Her.—You say my dear, in your letter of May 29^{th}. 1771, dated from Eltham—“I hope my Lydia’s Letter did not give you pain, perhaps not Pleasure, but you must make some allowance, for she loves her Mother, who really is a good Woman—and even the Proposal however kind the Intention in having Lydia live with you, yet the taking from M^{rs}. Sterne her only Child, and only Comfort, and taking no notice of the Mother, was rather ill timed in my Eliza and threw some difficulties in my way”—Miss Sternes Letter did indeed my dear, give me a great deal of pain—it was such a one, as I by no means deserved, in answer to one wrote in the true spirit of kindness, however it might have been construed.—M^r. Sterne had repeatedly told me, that his Daughter was as well acquainted with my Character, as he was with my appearance—in all his letters, wrote since my leaving England, this Circumstance is much dwelt upon—another too, that of M^{rs}. Sternes being in too precarious a state of health, to render it probable that she would survive many months—her violence of Temper (indeed James I wish not to recriminate or be severe just now) and the hatefulness of her Character are strongly urged to me, as the Cause of his Indifferent Health, the whole of his Misfortunes, and the Evils that would probably shorten his Life—the Visit M^{rs}. Sterne meditated some time Antecedent to his Death, he most pathetically lamented, as an adventure that would wound his Peace, and greatly embarrass his Circumstances, the former on account of the Eye Witness He should be, to his Childs Affections having been Alienated from Him by the Artful Misrepresentations of her Mother, under whose Tutorage she had ever been—and the latter, from the capacity of her Disposition—for well do I know say’s He,—“that the sole Intent of her visit is to plague & fleece me—had I money enough, I would buy off this Journey, as I have