(seq. 1)

Cambridge Oct 14 1782

Sir,
I suppose in this session the honorable House of Representatives will
make their grants for the Civil list, and that among others, those relative to
the College will come in question. In such cases I am told that enquiries are
frequently made what Living the Gentlemen have. If this should be the case
I could wish the Members may have the fullest & plainest information of what relates
to my situation & support. I have been in my present office in the University
Two years & nine months, and all the Salary I have {received} for my support,
both from the College, & from the State, has been £361-5-4.{legal money}. What has made
my situation here more distressing, I was obliged to be at the heavy, but una-
voidable expense of £650 L.M. to procure an ordinary house for the removal
of my family. I need not make any remarks on the above, Deducting
the interest of the Debt incurr'd for procuring an house, there has been but
£92-s7 {legal} money per annum for the support of a family which has
ever been in easy circumstances before my removal to this place. A sum
so inadequate to the unavoidable expences of living here, that my family
must have suffer'd for the nescesaries of life, had I not spent a considerable
part of my Estate to procure them. It gives me great pain to trouble you
about such matters. Nor do I know whether it is best to apply to the Hon-
orable House for relief. I wish to be enabled to hold an office in which
I take great pleasure, and have every encouragement that can arise
from the steady attention, and application of my Pupils. At the same
time I am sensible of the distress'd state of the Country, by reason of the just
& nescesary war in which they are engaged, and cannot wish for any
thing more than a decent support. If there be any enquiries about our Living I
will be obliged to you to give to the {Honorable} House a full & plain account of the nature of my
office, and support. I cannot doubt but they would wish to give me all proper encou-
ragement, if I discharge the duties of my office to the public satisfaction; If not I am
sensible I ought not to expect it. Begging your excuse for the trouble I give you, I am Sir,
with greatest esteem & regard, your most obedient humble servant

Samuel Williams.