peal and hope
to receive yor. farthr. Commands, remaing. with due Respect--

[Footnote 2: _I.e._, in Doctors' Commons.]

[Footnote 3: See doc. no. 153.]

[Footnote 4: Daughter of Wilks; see note 5, _post_.]

LONDON 17 July 1742.

_Srs._

Since the above Copy of our Last have recd. yr Favors of the 22d
April. we are very Sorry to have occasion to inform you that our good
Friend and Partner Francis Wilks, Esqr., departed this Life the 5th
instant.[5] he had been in a very ill State of health for above two
years past and the whole business of the house has been transacted by
us for that time and we hope to the Satisfaction of all our Friends,
who we Flatter our Selves will Continue their Favors to us and we
Shall [be] ready to Serve you and promote yr. Interest to the best of
our Capacity and assure you with great fidelity. we have taken Doctr.
Paul's opinion ab't yr. Case which you have inclosed. it seems to be
quite the reverse of what Dr. Strahan gave and is intirely for you;
our Proctor has persuaded us to have yet another eminent Civilian's
opinion, which if in our Favor he thinks we ought to pursue the
appeal, of which shall acquaint you more hereafter. we have received
the Certificate for the Snow _St. John_, Samll. Waterhouse, which have
laid before the Navy board but have not as yet obtained a bill for the
payment of it. at this Warr time there is so much hurry at the Navy
office that we can not get any Satisfactory acct. relating to the head
Money of the Spanyards taken by yr. Privateer. we are concerned at yr.
Loss in the Man of Warr taking 15 of yr. Men.[6] it is an abominable
practice yet it is what they frequently have done and go on with.
there has been representations made abt. it at our Admiralty office
but no redress has been obtained, only a few good Words that they
would give orders to the Contrary. are pleased you got a litle ---- in
her Way home. hope you will have greater Success hereafter which Shall
be glad to hear. we Shall have a just regard to all yr Concerns under
our Managemt. as if your own, and remain with due respect

Sir,

Yr. Most oblgd. h. Sts.,

BOURRYAU[7] AND SCHAFFER.

Mrs. Harris desires to be
remembred to you. She is left
sole [heiress of?] Mr. Wilks.

[Footnote 5: "Francis Wilks, esq., a director in the South Sea
Company, died July 5." _Gentleman's Magazine_, XII. 387. He had been
agent in London for the Massachusetts House of Representatives since
1728, and for