ALS: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston; duplicate: Yale
    University Library
  
  
    New York July 2. 1756
  
  
    Being here, I take this Opportunity per the
    Packet Boat, to write you a Line, acknowledging the Receipt of your
    Favour of March 13. and of the Brevier Fount, which is come to Hand
    in good Order, and pleases Mr. Hall and me very much. I am much
    indebted to you for your Care in that matter, as well as many
    others. I think our Account now stands thus,
   
  
    My Nephew, B. Mecom, finding that the Business did not answer to
    his Mind in Antigua, has determin’d to quit that Place, and has
    accordingly sent me home the Press and Letters. He writes me that
    he has lately sent you a Bill for £100 Sterling; and being now
    employ’d only in Collecting his Debts, he hopes soon to send you a
    Bill for the Ballance of your Account, about £50 more. As the £20
    Bill you receiv’d of me in November 1753, was only lent to his
    Account, and he will now pay his whole Ballance, without reckoning
    that £20, which he has not repaid to me, you will please to take it
    back to my Account when he has settled and paid off his; whereby a
    Ballance will remain in my Favour. But in the mean time, lest that
    should not be so soon done as he proposes, that you may not be
    longer in Advance for me, I inclose a little Bill on Mr. Collinson,
    for £11 10s. 9½d. the Ballance due to you. But desire
    you would not forget to take back the £20 into your Hands for me,
    when you settle finally with B. Mecom, who writes me that he
    proposes going for England this present July.
    You judge rightly, that my many Employments and
    Journeys of late, have prevented my carring into Execution the
    propos’d Scheme of circulating your Magazine. But I think now to
    write to the Postmasters as soon as I get home, and order the
    Advertisements into the Papers.
    With the greatest Respect and Esteem, I am,
    Dear Sir, Your obliged and most obedient humble Servant
   
  
    Mr. Wm. Strahan.