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 a discharge for £200 Scots that I was owing to your father-in-law, and his own friend Mr Muirhead, which discharge I gave to John Ewart, when he desired the money; and he, at my desire, produced it to you, which you sustained.

A great many of the like instances were told, of which I cannot remember the persons names and things; but, says he, what vexes me more than all these, is the injustice I did to Homer Maxwell, tenant to my Lord Nithsdale, for whom I was factor. I borrowed 2000 merks from him, 500 of which he borrowed from another hand: I gave him my bond, and, for reasons contrived, I obliged him to secrecy. He died within the year, and left nine children, and his wife had died before himself. I came to seal up his papers for my Lord's security; his eldest daughter entreated me to look through them all and to give her an account what was their stock, and what was their debt. I very willingly undertook it, and in going through the papers, I put my own bond in my pocket. His circumstances proving bad, his nine children are now starving. These things I desire you to represent to my wife; and take her brother with you, and let them be immediately rectified, for she has a sufficient fund to do it upon; and if it were done, I think I would be easy and happy; therefore I hope you will make no delay.

After a short pause, I answered, It is a