1769 April 3 (Monday). Alexander left us very early to return to Sturbridge. Ebenezer Maynard junior comes to live with me and work for me for Six months, and I am to pay him 10£ Lawful money. Old Mr. Charles Rice and Lt. Bruce here, to whom, one after the other, I read my Account of the Captivity of the Rice’s, and they testifyed to the Truth thereof. At Eve Mr. Daniel Forbes was here, and is very earnest against a Contribution for Mr. Mellen. I answered that he should have objected before. It was now too late. He Said he knew it. I told him I had taken every Step that is fit in Such Cases. He reply’d that he did not pretend to lay any Blame on me. I added that He was much to blame. He answered that he knew it, and was Sorry. Yet must have some thing done to prevent it, because Such a Multitude were against it. I told him that no Soul had been here to object. He wondered at it; he thought every Thing was So plain against it that he took it for granted there would be none. I rejoined that all was on the Contrary with me: and if there were so many against it, they Should let me know it. I must know their minds by Fast forenoon: Seasonably to Speak to the Congregation at noon. He Said I should know seasonably.