There was a Mr. Hale in Massachusetts, a reputable, worthy man, who
becoming a little embarrassed in his affairs, I aided him, which
made him very friendly to me. He went to Canada on some business. The
Governor there took great notice of him. On his return, he took occasion
to mention to me that he was authorized by the Governor of Canada
to give from three to five thousand guineas each to himself and some
others, to induce them not to do any thing to the injury of their
country, but to befriend a good connection between England and it.
Hitchburn said he would think of it, and asked Hale to come and dine
with him to-morrow. After dinner he drew Hale fully out. He told him he
had his doubts, but particularly, that he should not like to be alone in
such a business. On that, Hale named to him four others who were to
be engaged, two of whom, said Hitchburn, are now dead, and two living.
Hitchburn, when he had got all he wanted out of Hale, declined in a
friendly way. But he observed those, four men, from that moment, to
espouse the interests of England in every point and on every occasion.
Though he did not name the men to me, yet as the speaking of Lowell was
what brought into his Read to tell me this anecdote, I concluded he was
one. From other circumstances respecting Stephen Higginson, of whom he
spoke, I conjectured him to be the other living one.
December the 26th. In another conversation, I mentioned to Colonel
Hitchburn, that though he had not named names, I had strongly suspected
Higginson to be one of Hale's men.
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