* *

It has already been stated that the pecuniary supplies, which he found
it necessary to raise on arriving at majority, were procured for him on
ruinously usurious terms.[61] To some transactions connected with this
subject, the following characteristic letter refers.

TO MR. ROGERS.

"March 25, 1813.

"I enclose you a draft for the usurious interest due to Lord * *'s
_protege_;--I also could wish you would state thus much for me to
his Lordship. Though the transaction speaks plainly in itself for
the borrower's folly and the lender's usury, it never was my
intention to _quash_ the demand, as I _legally_ might, nor to
withhold payment of principal, or, perhaps, even _unlawful_
interest. You know what my situation has been, and what it is. I
have parted with an estate (which has been in my family for nearly
three hundred years, and was never disgraced by being in possession
of a _lawyer_, a _churchman_, or a _woman_, during that period,) to
liquidate this and similar demands; and the payment of the
purchase is still withheld, and may be, perhaps, for years. If,
therefore, I am under the necessity of making those persons _wait_
for their money, (which, considering the terms, they can afford to
suffer,) it is my misfortune.

"When I arrived at majority in 1809, I offered my own security on
_legal_ interest, and it was refused. _Now_, I will not accede to
this. This man I may have seen, but I have no recollection of the
names of any parties but the _agents_ and the securities. The
moment I can it is assuredly my intention to pay my debts. This
person's case may be a hard one; but, under all circumstances, what
is mine? I could not foresee that the purchaser of my estate was to
demur in paying for it.

"I am glad it happens to be in my power so far to accommodate my
Israelite, and only wish I could do as much for the rest of the
Twelve Tribes.

"Ever yours, dear R., BN."

[Footnote 61:

"Tis said that persons living on annuities
Are longer lived than others,--God knows why,
Unless to plague the grantors,--yet so true it is,
That some, I really think, _do_ never die.
Of any creditors, the worst a Jew it is;
And _that_'s their mode of furnishing supply:
In my young days they lent me cash that way,
Which I found very trouble