The poor Tenant's moving Answer.

Good Mr. Taverner,

I am at my Wits end almost on what you write. But if I am to be ruined, with my numerous Family, and a poor industrious, but ailing Wife, how can I help it? For I cannot possibly raise 20 l. any manner of way by the Time you mention. I hope Sir John won't be so hard-hearted. For if God Almighty, our common Landlord, should be equally hard upon us, what would become of us all? Forgive my Boldness to talk of God Almighty to his Honour, in this free manner.

I would do it, if it was to be done; but you know, Sir, what a Season we have had. And an honester Tenant his Honour will never have, that I am sure of. But if Money won't rise, what can I do? Should I sell my Team, and my Utensils for Labour, there is an End of all. I shall have no Means left me then wherewith to pay his Honour, or any body else. If his Honour will not be moved, but will seize, pray, good Mr. Taverner, prevail on him not to throw me into Gaol, for a Prison pays no Debts; but let my poor Wife and Six small Children lie in the Barn, till I can get a little Day-labour; for that must be all I can have to trust to, if his Honour seizes. I hear my Man William that was, has just taken a Farm; may be, he will employ his poor ruin’d Master, if I amnot ‘prison’d. But if I be, why then the Parishmust do something for my poor Children,tho’ I hoped they would never trouble it. Lay these things before his Honour, good Sir, and forgive this Trouble from

His Honour's honest, tho’ unfortunate Tenant.