Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

I do very much wonder at y^e character of M^r Wheatly. For he has lived here
in London severall years w^th good word: & had I had then a living for him I had cer-
tainly given it him. Neither has he ever been charged with any other intempr-
rance here by any body, but that in disputing, where he had no comand of himself.
And I am ^apt to think a great part of D^r Brayes prejudice might arise from some heats
of that kind, where to those not acquainted with him, he might seem by his
rudeness either to be drunk or mad. However you have well done to make some
tryal of him before you trust him: for I will not answer for what alteration
the change of Climate may have wrought upon him, tho I hope you will find
him a sober man at y^e. last.

I beg your pardon for sending over any Ministers upon recomendation from pri-
vate persons of particular Parishes. I am now sensible of y^e inconveniency of
it, & y^e injury it may do to yo^r authority. Therefore I promise you, it shall
be so no more.

M^r Perry has promised to enquire after y^e box w^th stuff for clothing. I
desired him to consign it to you: but I fear it is lost. If it should come
to yo^r hands, I would intreat you to keep it for y^e next gardner, that
comes. For I think I have met with a sober stayed man for your purpose,
who shall go over speedily. Hewsons money came late to my hands, & I am
husbanding of it for his poor family, as well as I can.

I thank you for your advice about Cradock, & shall make his friends
sensible of it. M^r Ralph is a very honest gentleman & my friend, but I
shall let him know, that he had better employ himself, I mean his son in
law some other way.

I shall be sure to observe your directions, as to M^r Bird's letters, if I
can find his Memorial: but I question whether I did not send it to
you. However I know you are too good a Christian to remember
past injuries, unless renewed by fresh ones. Of which, I dare say,
you are in no danger. For the same interest which perversed
him to be so malicious to you then, will now perswade ^him to be most
obsequious. And tho you are not obliged to trust him for y^e future,
you may doubtless safely forgive him.

The best news comes in y^e end of yo^r letter, that you are recove-
red from yo^r sickness. I pray God to continue your health for many
yeers to y^e publicke good, and yo^r own comfort,

For his Excel:^ce Colonel
Nicholson Governour of
Virginia