defalcate

To misappropriate funds; to embezzle.

To cut off (a part of something).

To deduct or take away (a part of income, money, rents, etc.).

One would have thought the natural method in a plan of reformation vvould be, to take the preſent exiſting eſtimates as they ſtand; and then to ſhevv vvhat may be practicably and ſafely defalcated from them.