I should sooner have answered your Questions but that in the Confusion of my Papers, occasioned by removing to another House, I could not readily find the Memorandums I had made during the unpleasant Time in which, as a common Friend, I was obliged to hear your and Mr. Hewson’s mutual Complaints. I have now found one of those Memorandums, dated Augt. 23, 1771 the same which I afterwards read to you, containing your Idea as then express’d of the Terms on which you were to proceed together. The following is an Extract from it. … 6

<He expects Hewson to continue, while they are associated, to make preparations at Hunter’s direction and expense and, once these are done, others of his own if he wishes; all that are made become Hunter’s property, to dispose of as he pleases.>

Some time last Summer, after your Parting, you wrote me a Note, which I cannot at present find,7 but I think the Purport of it was, that you had some Preparations which you could spare and were dispos’d to give me, desiring I would call and look at them; I did so, and accepted them. I apprehended it to be your Supposition in giving them to me, that as I had no Use for them, I should probably give them to Mr. Hewson, which I immediately did. Having said this, I must add, in Justice likewise to Mr. Hewson, that his Conception of the original Agreement between you was, that he had a Right to make such Preparations for himself, your Business and the common Interest of the Partnership not being neglected. Here you had differ’d in Opinion; but came to a kind of Compromise express’d in a Paper that I handed between you, a Copy of which I have obtain’d from Mr. Hewson to send you. I am, Sir, Your most obedient and most humble Servant