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  Copy of Correspondence with Jos. McKeen Esq.

Northfield, Mass Aug 9th 1848 Mr McKeen Dear Sir

Your letter and statement of my account is duly received. I notice that the extra charge in my first term bill $26.25, for which I petitioned an abatement is continued. This charge, acknowledged an unreasonable one. I had not expected to pay and Rev. Woods gave me encouragement that it would be remedied. There are also some other things in the account which I do not understand. E.g. the balance of $.81 at the close of the year 1845. But though differing from my memoranda, I presume your books are correct. In the Bill for the Spring Term of '47 there is charged $3.18 for "Repairs." I was in College but about one week that term. It seems hardly fair when one is absent in addition to all the other charges as usual, to be taxed for repairs because the room one had occupied was broken in and his own books & other property removed or stolen. Another thing I mentioned to you last year. I had furnished my room with an AirTight Stove at Expense of $4.00. During my absence in Spring of '47 my Stove was removed with the others. When I enquired for it you told me it should be returned, or I should be paid for it. The Term Bill of Dec.18th, 1846, and of Dec. 19th, '45, as also the last one of Sept '47 I have never seen. If you have them by you, & it is convenient, I will be much obliged to you if you will forward them to me by Mail, as I should like to see them, especially the last. etc. " This is the letter, which I judge from the Extract you wrote of one to your, Mr. McK considered offensive. The above is a copy of my first rough draft of it "probably under some excitement" If the Epistle sent varied from that, it was in softening down the "Tone" of it; which I think was done in some degree the next day. If offensive in any degree it must be by its simple Truth. The $.81 of 1845, I considered an extremely delicate allusion to Mr. McK's peculiar method of reckoning interest Triennially. It would be instantly understood by him. My impression is however that that passage was considerably 'refined' in the copy sent.

"Mr. McKeen Northfield, Mass. Aug. 28th , 1848. Dear Sir I am extremely sorry to be obliged to apologize for again delaying the settlement of my account with Bowd. Coll. I intended to remit the balance justly due before the first of Sept. By the sudden & unexpected embarrassment of the Mercantile Firm in Bangor with whom the funds I had devoted to that purpose were deposited, I find myself without the means. To borrow the money here in the present condition of financial matters among Railroad Men, would be very unpleasant if not impossible, and I am reluctant constrained to request you to wait some two months