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 oblige you. I hope, Sir, you will therefore excuse, Your most humble servant.

Sir—While I was out of town, I find you did me the favour of inquiring two or three times for me; and among my letters I found one from you desiring the loan of fifty guineas. You must certainly have mistaken me or yourself very much, to think we were enough known to each other for such a transaction. I was twice in your company! I was delighted with your conversation, and you seemed as much pleased with mine. Should I answer the demands of every new acquaintance, I should soon want power to oblige my old friends, and even to serve myself. Surely, Sir, a gentleman of your merit cannot be so little beloved, as to be forced to seek new acquaintance, and to have no better friend than one of yesterday. But be this as it may, it does not at all suit my convenience to comply with you request, and therefore I must beg of you to excuse, Your’s &c.

Sir,—It not of my power to give you any further indulgence, seeing that the money has been long due, and I am at present in great want of it; if, the eforetherefore [sic], you will not settle your bill by fair means, you shall shortly be obliged by legal steps. I am, Sir, your’s &c.

Sir,—When it is at present out of my power to discharge the debt I have contracted with you, I hope you will consider, that making me a prisoner will only add cost to the bill, and render it, of course, more impracticable. If bereft of my