888 | To Thomas Hutchinson

    London, June 13. 1771

    Dear Sir,

    I am extremely concerned at the account of the Disputes between Col Goldthwait & my Son, which will be hurtful for them both but most so to the Colonell, as it will probably destroy that friendly Regard I had for him at a Time when it might have been of good use to him; as to his Regard for me I expected nothing from it than what would coincide with his Interest, & therefore I don’t ^less^ wonder at his proceeding against my Son with a Vehemence which would be indecent if he never had had any Obligations to me or Expectations from me & therefore I don’t ^but I don’t^ wonder at my never receiving a Line from him on this unlucky Subject, if he considers all Regards as cancelled.

    At this distance & unacquainted as I must be with particulars, I ^can^ give my Son no help not even in Advice, but to consult you in every Step he takes, & I must entirely [rely]1 on Your continuing your Friendly Regards to extricate him out of these Difficulties. I shall continue to repeat my Earnest Desire that he would endeavour to break from his new made Connections as soon as he can, & I shall not be easy till he has done it. In the present Affair you would do well in endeavouring to set Goldthwait right, if you have any Influence remaining over him, & prevail upon him to consider well, what Advantage can possibly accrue to him, by making the Losses which will befal my Son on his account greater than they need necessarily be; the unavoidable Loss will be great enough to give me just Cause of Complaint without any needless Aggravation of it.

    I am, Dear Sir, with great Regard Your most faithful & obedient Servant

    Fra, Bernard.

    His Excellency Govr Hutchinson

    P. S. Since I have wrote this I have seen Mr Frazer & he tells me that having an Account of my Sons disposing of a Vessel which he said he would consign to them, they had ordered Mr Lechmere their Agent to make an immediate Demand upon my Son & to order him to get what Security he could. As I did not see old Mr Lane I did not enquire in what Manner this Order was to be executed & therefore I know not what is to be provided against it: I must in general desire that you will assist him in the best Manner you can. My son has had including a Legacy which Mr Lane has Orders to receive £1600 & he has never that I know of been a Man of Expence; and therefore what ever he may have suffered by imprudent Bargains & the Accident at Penobscot I cannot think him insolvent.2 I beg that you will enquire fully into the State of his Affairs & give me your Opinion what can be done to retrieve them.

    L, RC      BL: Egerton MS, 2659, ff 19–21.