Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 2
I have just a minute to write you by Mr. Leonard & inform you that your writ against Calef was not Served. I entered The Action but was told upon delivg: my List that The officer had lodged The Writ in the Office but had made no Service. The man I think having taken his Flight just before he recd. it.
Inclosed is a Bill of Exchange for £50 Stg: & Protest by which poor Bror. Wigglesworth1is like to be deeper involved. To help him out as much as I can, I forward this desiring you would be so good as to summon on the absconding act,2 for me in his Name immediately Reuben Delano of Dartmouth & John McWhorter of Taunton, first enquiring of The latter whether he is yet in Debt to Gould. I know He was lately; & I am certain The other is now. You may add in The Summons if you think worth while The Officer who recd. Nye's Debt. Wm. Davis & Nicholas Davis both of Dartmouth, did owe Gould considerable, but whether They have not discharged their Debts I am uncertain. If you can find out308by any means, I wd. have you add or omit them. I am afraid of their claiming Costs if They have nothing. If you think They will not, & judge it best to risque it, do as you please. I will forward a Power, & your Fees shall be taken Care of by Yours very respectfully
NB Call Mr. Wigglesworth junr. of Cambridge Gent.
Edward Wigglesworth, Jr. (1731/2–1794), following an unsucessful merchant career, had been appointed a tutor at Harvard College in 1764, the year before succeeding his father as second Hollis Professor of Divinity (Sibley's Harvard Graduates, 12:508–509).
"An Act to Enable Creditors to Receive their just debts out of the effects of their absent or absconding debtors" (Province Laws, 1758–1759, Chap. 11).