Ralph, though married, and having one child, had determined to accompany me in this voyage.It was thought he intended to establish a correspondence, and obtain goods to sell on commission; but I found afterwards, that, thro' some discontent with his wife's relations, he purposed to leave her on their hands, and never return again.Having taken leave of my friends, and interchang'd some promises with Miss Read, I left Philadelphia in the ship, which anchor'd at Newcastle.The governor was there; but when I went to his lodging, the secretary came to me from him with the civillest message in the world, that he could not then see me, being engaged in business of the utmost importance, but should send the letters to me on board, wish'd me heartily a good voyage and a speedy return, etc.I returned on board a little puzzled, but still not doubting.
Mr.Andrew Hamilton, a famous lawyer of Philadelphia, had taken passage in the same ship for himself and son, and with Mr.Denham, a Quaker merchant, and Messrs.Onion and Russel, masters of an iron work in Maryland, had engag'd the great cabin; so that Ralph and I were forced to take up with a berth in the steerage, and none on board knowing us, were considered as ordinary persons.But Mr.Hamilton and his son (it was James, since governor) return'd from Newcastle to Philadelphia, the father being recall'd by a great fee to plead for a seized ship; and, just before we sail'd, Colonel French coming on board, and showing me great respect, I was more taken notice of, and, with my friend Ralph, invited by the othergentlemen to come into the cabin, there being now room.Accordingly, we remov'd thither.
Understanding that Colonel French had brought on board the governor's despatches, I ask'd the captain for those letters that were to be under my care.He said all were put into the bag together and he could not then come at them; but, before we landed in England, I should have an opportunity of picking them out; so I was satisfied for the present, and we proceeded on our voyage.We had a sociable company in the cabin, and lived uncommonly well, having the addition of all Mr.Hamilton's stores, who had laid in plentifully.In this passage Mr.Denham contracted a friendship for me that continued during his life.The voyage was otherwise not a pleasant one, as we had a great deal of bad weather.
When we came into the Channel, the captain kept his word with me, and gave me an opportunity of examining the bag for the governor's letters.I found none upon which my name was put as under my care.I picked out six or seven, that, by the handwriting, I thought might be the promised letters, especially as one of them was directed to Basket, the king's printer, and another to some stationer.We arriv'd in London the 24th of December, 1724.I waited upon the stationer, who came first in my way, delivering the letter as from Governor Keith."I don't know such a person," says he; but, opening the letter, "O! this is from Riddlesden.I have lately found him to be a compleat rascal, and I will have nothing to do with him, nor receive any letters from him." So, putting the letter into my hand, he turn'd on his heel and left me to serve some customer.I was surprized to find these were not the governor's letters; and, after recollecting and comparing circumstances, I began to doubt his sincerity.I found my friend Denham, and opened the whole affair to him.He let me into Keith's character; told me there was not the least probability that he had written any letters for me; that no one, who knew him, had the smallest dependence on him; and he laught at the notion of the governor's giving me a letter of credit, having, as he said, no credit to give.On my expressing some concern about what I should do, he advised me to endeavor getting some employment in the way of my business."Among the printers here," said he, "you will improve yourself, and when you return to America, you will set up togreater advantage."
We both of us happen'd to know, as well as the stationer, that Riddlesden, the attorney, was a very knave.He had half ruin'd Miss Read's father by persuading him to be bound for him.By this letter it appear'd there was a secret scheme on foot to the prejudice of Hamilton (suppos'd to be then coming over with us); and that Keith was concerned in it with Riddlesden.Denham, who was a friend of Hamilton's thought he ought to be acquainted with it; so, when he arriv'd in England, which was soon after, partly from resentment and ill-will to Keith and Riddlesden, and partly from good-will to him, I waited on him, and gave him the letter.He thank'd me cordially, the information being of importance to him; and from that time he became my friend, greatly to my advantage afterwards on many occasions.
But what shall we think of a governor's playing such pitiful tricks, and imposing so grossly on a poor ignorant boy! It was a habit he had acquired.He wish'd to please everybody; and, having little to give, he gave expectations.He was otherwise an ingenious, sensible man, a pretty good writer, and a good governor for the people, tho' not for his constituents, the proprietaries, whose instructions he sometimes disregarded.Several of our best laws were of his planning and passed during his administration.
