1772 August 13 (Thursday). Mrs. Kelly Still indisposed. My Young hands are earnestly bent to our Business (haying). I am forced to leave my Study (my Sermonizing, reading etc.) and assist them in taking away (as Breck unloads) 3 Load of Hay. A Fourth is brought, but this Stands till Morning. N.B. Mr. Morse came from Boston, chiefly loaded for Breck but with Something for Mr. Bass, upon mention of which he falls upon me for my not visiting him Since he came to Town. I made my Defence. He Said the people grew uneasy at my neglecting him etc. I told him, the least said was Soonest mended. I heard well of Mr. Bass; and believed, by what I had Seen, he was a good Penman. I was willing to do him any Kindness that he Should Stand in need of. But it was not fit to play the Hypocrite, and go and congratulate him and bid him welcome, when his coming here to trade was So much to my Dammage, as it was to mine if it was to my son’s, inasmuch as I was obliged to provide for him, and could not do it any where else as I could here. And it would be doubtless to the Hurt of both, perhaps Several hundred pounds. And Breck had made a Business of informing him of his own Designs, and entreated him not to come; and this was so Seasonably as that it was before he brought any Goods here. But I did not want to have any Contest with him: and thought it best to let him alone. Mr. Thomas Twitchel was present and heard what I said. I also prayed Mr. Morse that he would rather promote peace, than be the means of any Misunderstanding among us.