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way of Boston, and particularly as we are at present quite sure of returning to Newport again.

We are at present in a very great hurry getting the ship ready for cleaning and believe shall be ready to sail from here again in 5 weeks time at farthest; I suppose Mr. Bell will take a passage in the Maidstone, in case no sooner oppertunity should offer of his getting to Newport. I am sorry to inform you that most of the Bread now remaining on board will be condemned, as it has proved quite musty and very bad; but at present cannot ascertain the quantity as it must all be taken out tomorrow or next day; there will be also some Butter which must be condemned, but the reports I shall not send to the Victualing Board as we are to return to Rhode Island again.

All my Messmates joins with me in our best Compliments to Mrs. Champlin and yourself, and hope you will believe that I shall ever retain a thankful remembrance of the many Civilities received from you and Mrs. Champlin when at Newport, and shall always (where ever I am) be extreamly glad to hear of your good family's health and success, who am with great truth and esteem, Dear Sir,

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P. S. I must desire the favor of Mrs. Champlin to present my Compliments to Mrs. Bell, Mrs. Hunter, Miss Cowley, Miss Stell, and all the other dear little Girls of our acquaintance that she may happen to be in company with.

The report we heard at Rhoad Island just before we sailed

of Captain Smith's Lady being drown'd is not true, for she is at present with him at Canso.

[Endorsed,] To the Care of Mr. William Powell Merchant at Boston.

ROBERT MEARNS TO CHRISTOPHER CHAMPLIN

Glasgow, 12 September, 1765.

Invoice of Seven Casks Bottled Snuff shipt at Grennock on board the Peggie, Capt. Craig, Master, for Boston on Account and risque Mr. Christopher Champlain, Merchant in Newport, Rhode Island, to the Care of Mr. James Warden,1 Merchant in Boston.

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Sir, Your favours of 24 June covering Bill upon the Commissioners of the Neavy for fifty Pounds Sterling cam dewly to hand, and is past to the credite of your Account, and according to ordor have shipt you as above.

But as Mr. Tillock 2 is not at home have not ventred to send the Carpet; but by the nex opertunity you may expected it, and he will write you more fully himself in the meantime I am, for Mr. Tillock, Sir, Your most Humble Servant, ROBERT MEARNS

1 James Warden, afterwards an addresser of Hutchinson (1774), had a store on Green's Wharf. He was not a native of America. Mass. Hist. Soc. Proceedings, XI. 393.

2 In shipping twelve casks of bottled snuff in September, 1764, John Tilloch wrote: "I will take it very kind your discountenancing the sale of other snuff under my name; it is a mean low fraud. Surely the doers of it are men of no integrity."

Sir,

HENRY CRUGER, JR. TO AARON LOPEZ

Bristol, 13th September, 1765.

SINCE my last Respects to you, have received sundry Copys already answer'd; also your esteemed favour of 26th July ordering £500. additional Insurance on the Friendship, Capt. Lindsey, (who does not yet appear). Cost of the same you have herewith, £15 to the Debit of your Account.

After reading your Letter over with proper attention, I determined to give 3 days notice, and put your Ship America again up at Auction, but it proved all to no purpose. She would not fetch above £700., and your Limits are 750 Gs. Several Vessels are now ready to sail for New York not half loaded, as no Goods are going. this determined me to give Orders to get the America ready to sail for Newport without loss of Time, accordingly have order'd all the Goods you desire in your Letter, vizt. about 60 Tons Coal, 10 Tons Anchors, 2 of Oakum, 3 of Junk, 4 of Cordage, bolt Rope, 6 Cables, 100 Bolts Russia, 60 Ditto English Duck, and Hemp.

The Goods that were shiped for you on board the Minerva shall be taken out, and put in the America. I shall insure the whole Cargo, and £800. Sterling on the Ship valued, at and from Bristol to Newport, for your guidance.

3

I expect shall be able to dispatch the America in about Weeks from this Date.

Your Drafts to the Amount of £2200 are all accepted, and the greatest Part are paid. The Lumber by the America lays still unsold, no body offering to buy an Inch. Money is so scarce in the Kingdom, and trade of all sorts so dull, and the English Markets over done with North American Produce, especially Lumbar- nothing bearing the name of the least affinity of Wood will sell for any tolerable Price and Lumbar Buyers in general are a Parcell of Poor Dogs, who must have Credit.

Oil, naval Stores, etc., will do very well, and as it's your

Method, or Conveniency, to draw, may better answer your Purpose, as the Sale of these Articles are not so tedious. Carolina produce generally answers very well. have great grounds to hope you'll soon be granted a free Trade to the foreign West Indie Islands. I think America hath seen its worst day times must soon mend, but at present they are realy distressing.

By the America shall do myself the Pleasure to write you more fully. Interim and always I remain with Regard most Respectfully, Sir, your most Obedient Humble Servant, Hen: Cruger, Jr.

[Endorsed,] Via New York. Rec'd and forwarded this 18th November, 1765, in New York, by, Sir, your obedient Humble Servant, JNO: HARRIS Cruger.

Dear Sir,

HENRY CRUGER, JR. To Aaron Lopez

Bristol, 4th October, 1765.

I HAVE paid due Attention to the Import of your esteemed favour of 12th August. I entirely concur with you that a wide distinction ought to be preserved between Persons of Consequence and established in a Trade, and Interlopers who too often through Ignorance, at the same time ruin both Markets and themselves. these latter Sir, you may rest satisfied shall meet little Encouragement from me.

Herewith is an Account of £1800. Insurance on the Newport Packet, Cost £54.16. to your Debit.

Before I proceed any farther in this Letter, it may not be improper to mention Capt. Osborne,1 whom I have made Master of the Ship America: he appears to me an intelligent good kind of man, hope you may find him such It seems as if Capt: Osborne was desirous to be in this Trade, and would be glad to hold a small Share in a Vesse with you, but, I chose to say nothing more to him on this subject, than that I would hint it to you. he has taker a good deal of pains to inform himself of the State and

1 1 Jeremiah Osborne, of whom not a little will be found in this correspondence.

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Situation of our Market; indeed it would not be amiss were you to confer with him.

The America's Cargo of Lumbar lies still unsold save the 34 Ps. Cedar, which have disposed of at 3 Months Credit for 3/ per foot. advise you to send no more Anchor Stocks; what have of late been sold, were used not as such, but as Timber; wherefore, to the Proprietor all is lost that is cut off the Ends to model them. When you consider the use of them, it must naturally occur the consumption can not be great, seeing one hundred would serve this City a year.

Your Logwood I have at last sold at £7 per Ton. one Tun of it was full of Tar, which were obliged to pick out and sell at only £6. Sales you have inclosed, Net Proceeds being £163.13.4 Sterling to your Credit. Last week I had a Cargo (arrived) of about 100 Tons fine Honduras Logwood, it is the best I ever saw; my orders are to sell it as soon as landed (for the most it will fetch), which I have done at £6.15. per Ton. this for your government.

The Friendship is not arrived yet. I wish I could give you any Hopes of a Sale of her. Trade is as much at a stand in England as in America; my Friends in London. write me, they know not what to do with their Ships; here also is the same stagnation; which is the only Cause why there is no Sale for Ships.

I am in great Hopes 'ere long things will mend. I am very cautious how I interfere, and very unwilling to discourage Gentlemen in the progress of their Plan, or Business. it is certainly a delicate point; but still, Sir, as a mutual Confidence and Indulgence between two People so connected as are your good self and myself, must hope you will excuse the Liberty my attention to your Interest prompts me to take, in saying, I think you realy might do better than by sending New Ships and Lumbar to Market. it so happens now and then, that such an adventure turns out well, but it will not do to be extended. it appears to me, (for Reasons I fear too obvious to your good self) that you must sink Money by every Ship you build: the Time

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