| Description | Dear Sir
Imagining you have by this time, paid the last attentions to our friend, & that his brother may be arrived at Birmingham, I trouble you with the following letter, to state more clearly my connections with the Doctor.
The Security I find relative to the 400 £ lent to Mr. Barker, is respecting myself very unquestionable, but I am more doubtful of its Validity in respect to Mr. Barker himself. Dr. Smalls says in his Note "Mr. Day has at my desire, lent 400 £ to Mr. Barker, as a security for which, Mr. Barker has transmitted to me two Shares in the Birmingham Navigation, I am therefore accountable to Mr. Day for 400 £ with legal Interest." Sometime ago I recollect to have heard Dr. Small, say that Barker had never taken any note of him for the return of the Shares: I shall therefore be oblig'd to you, if you will examine whether there are any papers found, relative to the transaction, or whether Barker has any security. Though the Executors, can scarcely hesitate upon so clear a transaction; & were it possible I should think, a court of Justice would oblige them to return the Shares. But all this renders the affair more intricate. Should the Drs. Brother be inclin'd to terminate it with as little trouble as possible; The Shares might be transmitted to you, upon my acknowledging the receipt of the money & Mr. Barker of the Shares, upon such a transfer; or if Mr. Barker chose it, I would take the Shares at the last price they sold for, & pay him the Difference. Any thing in Short rather than be insolv'd in accursed litigation.
The Security for the other Share is equally valid. It is a promissory note, written at the same time, with yours for the transfer of a Share, for Value receiv'd. This also if they please, may be finish'd by its being transfer'd to you.
Should Mr. Small, return that Set of the Mémoires de L'acédémie, I will trouble you to take care of them for me: and Should the Drs. Books & goods be sold, to purchase for me the præceding Volumes, together with a Pepin's Digester which I remember the Dr. had.
I make no apology for giving you, the trouble of these commissions; but presume to make the same use of your friendship, which I hope you will of mine, whenever an occasion offers.
In the mean time, divert yourself with Bussiness, & with dissipation, give a sigh to the dead, but think not too often about it. Our life is too short, & too miserable, to permit a long indulgence of sorrow. Steal from disagreeable reflexions by whatever means fortune suggests: Rochefoucault says "The sun & death cannot be steadily view'd: Death certainly may, but the Loss of our Friends, cannot I am sure."
My compliments to Mrs. Boulton & Farewell.
T. Day.
Barehill near Maidenhead
March 17th. 1775.
|