_To the Same._
_Plymouth, July 4, 1744._
SINCE my last, I have had some particular informations about the late
odd adventure. It seems, that four gentlemen came to the house of
one of my particular friends, kindly enquiring after me, and desired
to know where I lodged, that they might come and pay their respects.
He directed them. Soon afterwards I received a letter, informing me
that the writer was a nephew to Mr. _S――――_, an eminent attorney at
_New-York_; that he had the pleasure of supping with me at his uncle’s
house, and desired my company to sup with him and a few more friends at
a tavern. I sent him word, that it was not customary for me to sup out
at taverns, but should be glad of his company, out of respect to his
uncle, to eat a morsel with him at my lodgings. He came; we supped; and
I observed that he frequently looked around him, and seemed very absent;
but having no suspicion, I continued in conversation with him and my
other friends, ’till we parted. This, I now find, was to have been
the _assassin_; and being interrogated by his other companions on his
return to the tavern about what he had done, he answered, that being
used so civilly, he had not the heart to touch me. Upon which, as I am
informed, the person who assaulted me laid a wager of ten guineas that
he would do my business for me. Some say, that they took his sword from
him, which I suppose they did, for I only saw and felt the weight of
his cane. The next morning, I was to expound at a private house, and
then to set out for _Biddeford_. Some urged me to stay and prosecute;
but being better employed, I went on my intended journey, was greatly
blessed in preaching the everlasting gospel, and upon my return was
well paid for what I had suffered: curiosity having led perhaps two
thousand more than ordinary to see and hear a man, that had like to
have been murdered in his bed. Thus all things tend to the furtherance
of the gospel, and work together for good to those that love GOD.
_Thus satan thwarts, and men object,_
_And yet the thing they thwart, effect._
Leaving you to add an _Hallelujah_, I subscribe myself,
Ever, ever yours,
_G. W._