ly I bought him a set of tools for making combs, and
procured him stock. He worked at my house about one year, and then
run away from me with all his combs, and owed me for all his board.

Since my residence at Haddam neck, I have owned of boats, canoes and
sail vessels, not less than twenty. These I mostly employed in the
fishing and trafficking business, and in these occupations I have been
cheated out of considerable money by people whom I traded with taking
advantage of my ignorance of numbers.

About twelve years ago, I hired a whale-boat and four black men, and
proceeded to Long-Island after a load of round clams. Having arrived
there, I first purchased of James Webb, son of Orange Webb, six
hundred and sixty clams, and afterwards, with the help of my men,
finished loading my boat. The same evening, however, this Webb stole
my boat, and went in her to Connecticut river, and sold her cargo for
his own benefit. I thereupon pursued him, and at length, after an
additional expence of nine crowns, recovered the boat; but for the
proceeds of her cargo I never could obtain any compensation.

Four years after, I met with another loss, far superior to this in
value, and I think by no less wicked means. Being going to New-London
with a grand-child, I took passage on an Indian's boat, and went there
with him. On our return, the Indian took on board two hogsheads of
molasses, one of which belonged to Capt. Elisha Hart, of Saybrook, to
be delivered to his wharf. When we arrived there, and while I was
gone, at the request of the Indian, to inform Captain Hart of his
arrival, and receive the freight for him, one hogshead of the molasses
had been lost overboard by the people in attempting to land it on the
wharf. Although I was absent at the time, and had no concern whatever
in the business, and was known to a number of respectable witnesses, I
was nevertheless persecuted by this conscientious gentleman, (the
Indian not being able to pay for it) and obliged to pay upwards of ten
pounds lawful money, with all the costs of court. I applied to
several gentlemen for counsel in this affair, and they advised me, as
my adversary was rich, and threatened to carry the matter from court
to court till it would cost me more than the first damages would be,
to pay the sum and submit to the injury; which I accordingly did, and
he has often since insultingly taunted me with my unmerited
misfortune. Such a proceeding as this, committ