Jan. 1 & 4. Settling with the Assignees of Mr. John Semple for the Maryland Tract of Land sold him by Colo. Thoms. Colvil & fixed the Balle. still due on that Land to £2576.15.2½ [sterling], £1000 of which to be paid upon acknowledgement of Deeds to them at George Town the 23d. Instt. and the Residue in June 1773. An allowance is to be made for any money which it shall appear Mr. Semple has credited Mr. Hough for on Colo. Colvils Acct.
The initial £1,000 to be paid by the three merchants was to cover several protested bills of exchange that John Semple had given in part payment for the Merryland tract. However, sometime before 23 Jan., Semple was credited with £183 6s. 5d. sterling paid in cash to take up part of those bills, and the merchants’ initial payment accordingly was reduced to £816 13s. 7d. (, 16). The merchants gave their own bond for the £1,576 15s. 2½d. that was supposed to be paid in June 1773 (GW to John West, Jr., NNgWHM).