The Virginia Gazette

SOME time last June I was induced to Mess. Purdie & Dixon, give you an advertisement to be published in your paper, concerning two bonds of mine granted to and in the possession of Mr. William Black, merchant in Prince George, which at that time I thought was fully discharged. As this happened when Mr. Black was on a journey to the Northward, on his return he directly waited on me, was very uneasy at my publication, insisted immediately on a settlement, and proposed I should choose any two merchants for that purpose. Mr. Black's request being so very reasonable I could not but come into it, and accordingly Mess. John Baird and Charles Duncan, merchants in Blandford, were named, who accordingly met; and though I had passed my bonds to Mr. Black, on a former settlement made in May 1764, for the balance which then appeared due, yet he so far indulged me as to go into our accounts from January 1760 to the beginning of our dealings, when the Gentlemen arbitrators found, on the whole, a balance still due from me to Mr. Black, on my two several bonds, of 460 l. 1 s. 9 d. halfpenny, which, after allowing credit, at the desire of Mr. Roger Atkinson, reduced that sum to 337 l. 11 s. 2 d. halfpenny, agreeable to those Gentlemen’s award, which you have herewith. In justice to Mr. Black's character, I think myself obliged to this method, not only for his satisfaction, but also that of the publick, and desire you may insert the same accordingly.

Blandford, July 30, 1769.

JOHN BUTLER.