Note 643 — Chapter XII · OBLIGATORY CIVIL MARRIAGE IN THE NEW ENGLAND COLONIES (continued 2)

"Madam, These are kindly to salute you, and to say, that the Omission of Answering one or two of my Letters, and of coming to Town, makes it needful to enquire, what the plain meaning of your letter of Jany. 30th may be. 'I do chuse to comply with your last proposal, of Releasing my children, and Accepting of the sum you proposed.' The last Proposal was, For your children, or some in their behalf, to give Bond, to indemnify me from all debts contracted by you before the Marriage; and from all matters respecting the Administration. This I told you, I peremptorially insist on. I was to secure you Forty pounds per a[=n]um during the term of your natural Life, in case of your Survival. This proposal must be taken entirely, every part of it together, and if the words 'Releasing my Children' intend a Releasing them from this Bond, my last Proposal is not accepted by you."—Ibid., 303 (Feb. 10, 1722).