The Letters of Sir Samuel Hellier (1736–1784)

Madam

To all your former Favours, which I remember 
with with due Gratitude, & are now to add and knowledge 
the favour of your Letter received yesterday.
Soon after the first Letter sent you lately about the Remainder 
due from Mr Hellier, I apprehended, that I had mentioned 4
Quarters as due instead of 3; recollecting (what I believe was 
true) that Mr Hellier was entered here, not in the beginning 
of 1754, but ┌ towards ┐ the close of 1753: and if so, then there remained 
only 3 Quarters in 1757. And upon this recollection, I wrote 
you a second Letter, to correct that mistake; which second 
Letter I fear you did not receive, because you mention one
Letter only.
To be strictly honest with certainly, Madam, be found 
the highest Interest here, as well as hereafter: and I defy 
Mr Hellier, or any one to prove any Change of ye the contrary 
against me. As to College, our Rule is — that when a Gent 
enters as a Pupil, he continues so for 4 years, if his name 
continue so long in the College Book; & whether he reside 
much or little in College, yet the Tutor is obliged to reside, upon 
his Pupil’s account; ready to instruct him, whenever he may
/
think proper to come. The state of our account therefore 
is this —
    Michaelmas         Term     —    1753
    Lent            Terms     —    1754
    Easter
    Act
    Michaelmas
    Lent            Terms     —    1755
    Easter
    Act
Michaelmas
Lent            Terms     —    1756
    Easter
    Act
    Michaelmas
    Lent            Terms     —    1757
    Easter
    Act            
    
Fortunately I have a note of hand from Mr Hellier, dated 
July 17th 1756; certifying, that there was then due to me Half 
a year’s Tutorage (& also 17 shillings lent and laid out for 
Him) – and therefore the 4 Quarters you were so good as to
/
discharge, were the 2 before & the 2 after that note, 
being the whole for the year 1756. So that you see, Madam 
there remain due 3 Quarters: which the Dean kindly promised 
me in London (in the close of last year) he would write 
to you about the payment of. 
Leaving the 17 shillings lent Mr. Hellier to be paid by Him, 
the sum then for the 3 quarters is 37 . 10 . 0. 
As Mr hellyer order’d me, when in College last Xmas, 
to give up his Rooms at the end of this Quarter; I have 
paid his Rent for them, and taken up the Remainder of 
his Caution money, which is 6 . 2 . 11. But as he has taken 
no care to enable me to fill his Rooms to any other 
person; perhaps he will be oblig’d to pay another quar-
ter’s Rent: and if so, that must be deducted out of this 
6 . 2 . 11, which will reduce it under 4 pounds. So 
that you will perhaps leave this Sum to be accounted 
for to Mr Hellier. But if you choose to deduct this 
Sum (of 6 . 2 . 11) out of the 37 . 10 . 1; I readily consent: 
& the Remainder then will be 31 . 7 . 0. 
About a fortnight since I received a Letter from Mr. Hellier; 
wherein (though he begins and ends with Dear Sir) he charges me 
with lessening his Character and unfairly representing him.
/
he disires also to know the fair State of our Accounts
and talks of his being always ready to settle the
Balance. I have enclosed a copy of my Answer 
to him, so far as it was material.
I have only, Madam, to add the Assurance 
of my fervent Prayers, that Divine Providence may
support You under the short continuance of Your
uncommon flare of Affliction; till God shall please to
reward You with Happiness proportion’d to Your
great Goodness of Heart; and admit You to a State,
where Every Sorrow shall be abundantly repair’d with
Joy. I am, Madam,
with the greatest Respect & Gratiture,
Your dutiful & 
most obliged humble Servant
Benjamin Kennicott

Exeter College
March 21: 1758.