Boston Feby. 13th 1786 Sr.,

After taking more pains in procuring a Settlement of Dr. McKinstrys Estate than my1 demand was worth (tho’ it was the next to yours in magnitude) I am at last able to give you the information you have requested in yr. Letters,2 I did not do it Sooner for it was not in my power; the bulk of the Estate as I have informed you was paid into the Treasury by Order of the Government, and there you may must apply for your proportion there which is 10/6 on the pound, yr. claim as settled by the Cmmsrs. was 160.15.6: it is not likely the Treasurer has money to pay but it is likely he will may give a due bill on some Shff. wch. you may off the there is in my hands in proportion of 2/8 on the pound which on yr. claim amounts to 21:8:8 wch. I have saved out of the fine, it is ready for you on your receipting for it in full of your demand of the for your proportion of the Estate of Wm. McKinstry late of Taunton decd. which came to my hands as his Admr. if you incline to draw an Order for the money let the order include such a receipt.

Hoping yr. Welfare I rest yr. friend & hble. Ser. RTP

Dft. (RC at Rhode Island Historical Society); internal address: “Mr. Moses Brown at Providence pr. Post.” Drafted on verso of a note:

Boston January 1786

Sr., Please to send me by the Bearer a certificate of the conviction of one John Bancroft of Stoughton for Theft, of a brass Kettle, as I am informed.

1.

Moses Brown (1738–1836) was a prominent merchant in Providence, R.I., who joined the Quakers in 1774 and became one of their leading figures. He freed his slaves and became well known as a philanthropist (American National Biography).

2.

There is only one surviving letter from Brown in the RTP Papers, dated Nov. 19, 1781, which also concerns the McKinstry estate.