THOMAS COLLINSON TO STEPHEN AYRAULT 1 Esteemed Friend S. Ayrault, London, September 23rd, 1763. I REPLY in this to that part of yours of the 20th July, enquiring whether there was any intention of new Modeling the Provinces, by briefly observing there was an Intention to effect an ecclesiastical Change thro' out all the Provinces. on the Continent. This was to be done by erecting one or more Bishopricks.2 However I believe the general Design is at present suspended, and part of it only will be executed, in the new acquisition of Canada, where they seem determined to establish the Church of England upon the same Laws and basis as it is here, and one Smith (now over in Ireland) it is said will be the first Bishop. 3 It will be well if this Erection of a Spiritual Prince prove virtually productive either of any moral, or political Good, in this late conquered District. In general, History and Experience evince the contrary, and frequently afford Instances that in proportion as Forms and external Orthodoxy are fix'd upon as Essentials, the Substance of Religion, and internal Rectitude of Mind gradually decay. Moreover a Bishop must have a See. this will call for the Allotment of a large Tract of Land, doubtless the best, and most fertile they can find; also all the Subordinate Officers of the Church, such as Deans, Deacons, etc., etc., etc., must be provided for in like manner. To support all this the Property and Labour of the Laity must be taxed, and most probably (as it is here) their very Improvements will be taxed or tythed in measure with the Improvements. By degrees this new planted Church will become very powerful, and sooner or later the Party must submit to Laws fram'd by itself, in its own Spiritual Court, and however injured must wait the issue of an appeal from 1 The original is in the Newport Historical Society. 2 Cross, The Anglican Episcopate and the American Colonies (1902). * Arthur Smyth was at this time Bishop of Down, and had been Dean of Derry to 1752, and Bishop of Cloufert for a few months in 1753. In 1765 he was translated to the archbishopric of Dublin. England, etc., etc. Mark how those Colonies have most flourish'd, where they have most enjoyed spiritual Liberty, where all Religions that injured not the State went hand in hand with a peaceable Equality, -none set as superior, to Lord it over the rest. If Inconveniences occur upon establishing a Hierarchy in Canada, how much more so if executed in Boston and the other Colonies, inhabited by the immediate Posterity of those very persons who fled from their native Land to avoid a Persecution inflicted upon them by this kind of Church Power. How unjust and (if I mistake not) contrary to Charter, to stretch forth this Spiritual Rod over their Inheritance now cultivated, populous and free, in a Country which their Fathers found a Desert. I know not my worthy Friend whither these sentiments may concur with yours. Be that as it may, I always write with Freedom to those whose Person's or Characters I know to be worthy of Esteem. as such I now write to you, and conclude with my best wishes for your Welfare, Your respectful Friend, The Collinson Sir, CHARLES WALKER TO CHRISTOPHER CHAMPLIN Newprovidence, October 2d, 1763. YOUR esteem'd favour I am duly honour'd with, and note the Contents. I observe your intention of sending a Vessill here, and if such a thing should have taken place, and arrives soon, doubt not but what she might arrive to a good markett, as this Island is at present much in want of such produce as you mention in your price currant. I long ere this thought to have been in Carolina, but payments are so dull, that I could not compleat my affairs; since which I am determin'd to try Providence for at least 3 years, and have enter'd in bussiness with Mr. Geo. McKinzie of So. Carolina, for settling a Store here. Mr. G. M. saild about three weeks ago for Carolina, for a fresh supply, so desire you would direct to Walker & McKinzie if you or any of your friends should adventure this way, and doubt not of their acting with as strict Justice and punctuality as in their power. Our produce is at present very high, Madeira 3 In. plank at 20 ps. 100, Inch Boards 8 to 10, Braz at 22 ps. per Ton, Limis 8 per M. Since you left Providence it is become very dolefull, little or know trade going on and what little there is, its centre'd in one or two hands which is certainly a great hurt to this Island. however I expect a compleat assortment of Goods, and shall then expect to partake with part of what trade is going on, if I am successfull with Industry, tho, one must have the patience of Jobe to live here, were there is no Society. I was this Morning at Church, being the 3d time for the space of Nine m[onths] and heard a very pretty Sermon, tho in my Judgment rather too seavere for a Criminal which is to be executed a friday. by this time I expected to have had the pleasure of hearing of your Marriage, which I hope when ever happens that all the happiness that this Life can afford will attend.1 As to my part some months ago I had a great notion of trying the experiment, but can assure you that passion is much abated, and am proud to inform that I hope I shall wave all such thoughts till I go home where a certain one have the greate[st] right. Mr. John Baldwin married the fortune, Miss Boo Loone, with about One Thousand pound Sterling. After you left this our old Logings became vacant, which has almost given me the hip. how I kill time, Champlin, would supprize you. You may remember I formerly con 1 Christopher Champlin was born in 1731 and died in 1805. See Mason, Annals of Trinity Church, Newport, 134 n. verced with the fair Sex, but have dropt that agreeable Society, for fear that I should be too proud and taking of divers leaps that I may be the means of causing a [torn] and then I may be forced to doe that which would be very disagreeable to me and make me unhappy all my days. I am once a week at the New Guinea, where am a little diverted at a fandango. As I purpose doeing Buissiness here hope you will write me by all oppertunitys and doubt not but what with a proper care that one may do somthing between your place and this. Haveing nothing farther to add, but beg your acceptance of a Cag Limes I remain with unfeigned regard, Sir, Your most obedient Humble Servant, CHARLES WALKER Excuse haste and blunders, the Scooner being just ready for sailing. Sir, THOMAS TALMAGE TO CHRISTOPHER CHAMPLIN I was consernd in a Sloop that was long since sold at St. Thomas to Henry Florence either of Marble Head or Salem for 1020 pieces 8, for which Payment Florence draws an Order on Lodwick Panet, which he excepts, promising to pay the same on demand in Merchantable Rum and Molases, but when Demand was made Panet was broke and unable to pay a farthin. I desire you would enquire after Florence and inform me where he is and his Circumstances, and I should be obligd to you for your Opinion whether he is not accountable for the above. The Cargo the same time was sold to the Governor of said Island, for which he gave a Bill of £188 payable in Amsterdam, which is returnd protested. Since he is gone of, tis said home to Copenhagen. if Mr. Powell should go home to London and thinks there is any chance he could negotiate that Affair during his Stay in London, I would convey the Bill over to you, if I could have seasonable Notice. My Vessell saild 3 weeks ago and is to touch at St. Martins to land I horse for a particular Gentleman there; thence to proceed to St. Eustatia there sell her Oxen and her Horses, with the rest of her Cargo; then to take a Load of Salt at St. Martins or Turks Island, and so down to Port Dauphine1 and so return. Please to inform me your knowledge of such a Vioage. If you have any cheap Rum French or New England, could send me a Cagg of ten or twelve gallons for the use of Laborers this Winter, and command Your Humble Servant, THOMAS TALMAGE Easthampton, November 28, 1763. GEORGE CHAMPLIN TO CHRISTOPHER CHAMPLIN Dear Brother, Thenerieffe, Novm: 27th, 1763. I HAVE disposed of our adventure agreeable to the Price Current remitted you, all but the tobacoe, which I find Impposoble at any rate; however it will be a good Article to Leward. I have improved the proceeds of our Adventure in Wines and Unnions. Could not git above 1500 Bunches which I hope will answer very well, as they are very fine. I could git Credit, but the Wines are so high that I am afraid they will not answer. In regard to my small interes you may behave on account of Insurence as tho you ware in my Case, whilst I am with Regards, your Brother, etc., GEO. CHAMPLIN Sir, JOHN TURNER & SON TO ANDREW HEATLY Amsterdam, 31st January, 1764. HAVING here to fore been favourd with your Commands we make free to tender our further Services unto you, hoping in case you should have occasion for any European Goods, 1 On Santa Lucia. |