any thing extraordinary in my history, as there is not any circumstance
in the whole, but what daily and hourly happens to hundreds of my
fellow-beings, or that can render it interesting to any but the ear of
friendship.

"I believe, Howard, I need not recapitulate the circumstances which
eighteen years since induced me to leave England; as I doubt not you
well remember the death of my guardian, and the villany of my steward
in Barbadoes, who, on that event, endeavoured to defraud me of the
property I inherited from my mother.

"Our voyage was tempestuous and tedious; and on landing at Barbadoes, I
found Johnson regarded as the legal possessor of my lands. I carried
sufficient proofs of my identity and the validity of my claim; but,
irritated to the highest degree, declined an application to law as too
tedious in its redress, and determined personally to assert and enforce
my right.

"I accordingly went, accompanied by some friends, who had in vain
endeavoured to dissuade me from such a procedure, and was admitted into
the presence of Johnson, whom I accused with all the vehemence of
ungoverned rage, and declared my intention of maintaining possession
from that period. He heard me with an affectation of surprise; and
then, with the greatest effrontery, said--'You the son of the late
honourable Alric Talton, and the owner of these plantations! This
impudence exceeds all I ever witnessed! No, sir, the son of my late
master is too well known to me to admit of this imposition. From him I
purchased these possessions, and from him, from you, and all the world,
I will now withhold them.'

"Driven nearly to madness by this impudent assertion, I still insisted
on the justness of my claim, and menaced him with the utmost severity of
the law; whilst he in return pretended to treat me as an impostor, and
threatened to have me punished accordingly.

"My friends finding the inutility of the attempt, proposed my returning
to Bridgetown, and seeking redress from the Governor. This I told them
they were welcome to do, but I should remain where I was; and, finding
me obstinate to my purpose, they at last set out for town without me.

"As soon as they were gone, Johnson summoned two European servants, and
commanded them to search my pockets; and, whilst my arms were confined
by his order, I had the mortification to see those papers concerning his
stewardship, and which as of most consequence in my cause I carried
about my person,