(seq. 29)

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[fol. 1r]

No. 12 Dorchester, Novr. 7th. 1795.

Propitious friend,

This epithet you richly deserve from
one, who has so poor claims to your friendship. Is not your can-
dor exhausted? Am I not unworthy of future indulgence? If you
are all foul; & the essence of that soul is benevolence, I may continue,
a little longer, on your list of friends ---- A breach of promise,
a fresh token of unworthiness! A breach of promise, the apparent
fruit of wilful omission, or cold neglect!! A breach of promise by one,
who professes morality, &, wonderful to relate! who courts the char-
acter of an instructor & reformer of mankind!!! But cannot some
valid reasons be given to soften the asperity of such a charge? Let
Candor judge, while Impartiality relates the facts, & Frankness
owns their truth. 'Frankness, may it please your goodness for-
'got, he had made an unconditional promise. He recollects, a
'promise was desired; but thinks he have but partial encour-
'agment. Equitas & Nitida were, however witnesses to the fact, & last
'evening, revived a recollection of it in his mind. He willingly ac-
'knowledges his error; but hopes, his award will be mitigated
'when it is considered, that his mind has been perplexed by a spe-
'cies of business to him entirely new. The first opportunity of
'writing he neglected, supposing that a much dearer friend ren-
'dered it unnecessary. The next, also, passed unimproved; for he
'spent so much time in writing to his dearest Olivia, as
'he calls her, that enough was not left to perform his
'other business. From these considerations he hopes his for-
'getfulness will be pardoned, & his neglect forgiven; es-
'pecially, as they are failings, to wh all mankind, even
'the best of friends, are liable. This is a just represen-
'tation of facts, as you will see. Frankness chose this method,
'altho' novel, of submitting himself to your merciful
'bar; hoping you will excuse his personal appearance;
'as this would oblige him, such is his barrenness of ex-
'pression, to solicit the aid of that bosom friend, yet im-
'pertinent character, Egotism. If you wish, may it please
'your goodness, for farther evidence of these facts, you may ob-
'tain sufficient information from Equitas & Nitida. Frankness
'intreats judgement, the earliest session?'

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