Boston May 18. 1758th Sr.,

After my Compliments to you1 I beg leave to request one favour of you, which is by virtue of the inclos'd order to get of the Widow Elizabeth Freeman who lives in the south part of the town a Note of hand of Benja. Leigh to me for 28 Halifax Currency (Leigh is a Baker & Vendue Master) & please to demand payment which if he neglects, please to put it in Suit forthwith & get the best Security you can. He has put me off ever since twas payable & I fear 'tis not very safe. I would not trouble you but I am in necessity of a trusty freind in this matter. It won't spend much time. The work is soon done if he neglects. If you Sue it, let one do it that won't keep the money after he has got it, & if you come away before it is finished you may Substitute on the Power some trusty Person. I leave it with you to do the best will Satisfy you for yr. trouble, besides acknowledging the Kindness. Please to inclose the Note William Knox to me or yr. Wife & if it be not too much trouble let me hear about this matter. Yrs.,

RTP

LbC ; addressed: "To Mr. John Hurd Mercht. at Halifax pr. favr. Capt. Domet"; endorsed: "Drew An order on Mrs. Freeman favr. Jno. Hurd for Leighs & Knox's Note." The enclosure is printed below.

1.

John Hurd (1727–1809), son of Jacob Hurd, the Boston silversmith, was a 1747 graduate of Harvard, a merchant for a time in Nova Scotia, and later a large landholder in New Hampshire. He moved to Boston in 1779 where he acted as a commission merchant and marine insurer until his death (Sibley's Harvard Graduates, 12:164–171).