Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 2
When you was at Halifax I1 remember you often told me that you was disposed to Sell the Estate possesd by Jas. Freeman, provided you replace your own money which was £55 this Currency and I have since been inform'd that Mr. Salter was impowered to dispose of it but upon application to him, I find that you was desireous to dispose of it but had not Left him a power to Convey it & upon Searching the Records I find only his own Lot of 60 feet front whereon the house stands is conveyed to you & Mr. Salter informs me Some Rents &ca. have Lessend your original demand. Now Sir, what I have to say to you amounts to this that I am ready to give you £50 for it. £20 to be paid at the delivery of the Deed & £30 to be paid the first day of January next & if you please the premises shall be secured to you for the punctual performance of the Last payment—or I will draw an order on the Treasurer to pay it out of my Salary.
You will please to give me an answer by the first opportunity—either yea—or nay—because I have other matters depending thereon and shall govern myself accordingly—nor have I any other terms to offer or conditions to make save only this that If I become the purchaser I must be put into possession by the 10th of next October at Furtherest.
The Enclosed Letter was sent to my house by a gentleman who desired I would Convey it to Boston so that it might be deliverd into the hands of the person to whom it is directed which I beg the favour of you to Do. I am yr. most Obed. Servt.
James Monk (ca. 1717–1768), educated at Eton College, immigrated to Boston about 1736 and served under Sir William Pepperrell in the Louisbourg expedition of 1745. He remained in Nova Scotia following such occupations as merchant, surveyor, justice, and solicitor general (DCB)