may come when the Demand for Ships will be great, then it may do, but not untill then.

Suppose, Sir, you was to keep one, or more Ships in this trade, load them with the most valuable Cargo Rhode Island produced, send them some times to Carolina, or the West Indies, etc., etc., the Produce of these places always meet a ready sale here. If the Cargo now on board the America meets a good sale with you, (and I think Hemp must) you never need be at a loss what to load your Vessels back with. I for my part am ready and willing to promote any of your Schemes, as far as it can be done by giving you the most extensive Credit for Goods you can desire, by which means you may monopolize all the best trade of your place. thus have I under the Sanction of a most sincere Regard taken the freedom to offer a few Hints, which you may improve to your own advantage.

It hurts me to read over my Letters to you, as not one that I have yet written but what is filled with discourageing circumstances; Those calamities are now become general. God grant we may soon be releived. I like to let you know the worst of things, tho: am ready to lend all the aid my power to make the best of 'em.

in

Inclosed Sir is Bill Lading and Invoice of the America's Cargo, amounting with Cost of Insurance made thereon to £2452.2.6 Sterling to your Debit in A/C.

We had not time to get the whole ten Tons of Anchors made. Junk and Oakum were scarce; have shiped as much as could get; have sent 20 Tons of the best, and 20 Tons of the 2d Hemp call'd out shott; it is the method of the Rope Makers here to mix it, and pass it all for the Ist, by way of hint for your guideance.

The English Duck is from two different Makers, the Bales No. 1 to 7, is called Parliament Cloth, No. 8 to 12, is of an inferior Quallity. let me know which best suits your Purpose and I shall in future know which to send.

We have lately discover'd one Barrel of the Oil per the Charlotte to be Blubber, as per particulars inclosed.

I have endeavoured to be as frugall as possible in fitting

out the America, tho: were obliged to give her a few new Ropes and pay her uper Works. the Sailors are to work for their Passage; to 3 or 4 of the poor Dogs we are obliged to advance a little Money to get a few Cloths, they are to work it out. Capt. Osborne is shiped at 5£ Sterling per Month, his Mate at £3. the latter has had from Osborne one Months Advance. their Wages commence from the 16th September. I have paid Capt. Osborne £24.3.0 (as per his Receipt inclosed) for which he will account with you, it being for the use of the Ship America. of her Disbursements will send per my next. inclosed are the Plantation Certificates for canceling your Bonds.

an account

Night is come, and as the Wind has been flattering all day, worked very hard to clear and dispatch the Ship, for which purpose Capt. Osborne will leave us in about half an Hour; I heartily wish you a quick sight of him, being in all your Commands with my usual Esteem and Regard, Dear Sir, Your most Obedient Humble Servant,

HEN: CRUGER, Jun.

P. S. It is necessary you send me two Certificates to cancel two Bonds given here for the Coal, one for 20 Chaldron and one for ten.1

H. C., JR.

HENRY CRUGER, JR. TO AARON LOPEZ

Bristol, 11th October, 1765.

Sir,
I've already had the pleasure of writing you by the
America, who is detained by contrary Winds and blowing
Weather.

1 An export duty on coal was granted from August 2, 1714, for thirty-two years by 12 Ann, c. ix, § 11, and by 6 George I, c. iv, § 1, was continued for ever. The duty per chalder, Newcastle measure, was five shillings in foreign bottoms, and three in British bottoms, but the duty was not collected on coal sent to the British plantations or Ireland. In this later act the proceeds were appropriated to the increased and additional fund of the South Sea Company, and for paying so much of the lottery orders of 1714 as were subscribed into the capital of the said Company. After 1729 they were applied to the payment of interest on £1,250,000 advanced by the Bank.

I have now to congratulate you on the safe arrival of the Friendship, Capt. Lindsay, who delivered me your most esteemed favours of 22d August, covering Invoice and Bill Lading of her Cargo, not being able to meet a Birth at our Key to my liking, have orderd her not to come up for a day or two. Your Drafts amounting to £1400. Stg. that you advise of, shall all meet due Honor, and your account charged accordingly. I wish to God we may have better Success in the Sale of this Ship, than we had with the America, tho I much doubt if we shall, as at present Trade, when compared to its usual State, is realy stagnated; no manner of demand for Ships. Times must mend, when they do, you may depend on the earliest advice and

encouragement.

Oyl is as high as I beleive it will be this year, especially if the Importations should be large, which a little Time will determine. Vitious or Spermaceti Oil none at this Market; at London it sells from £21 to £22 per ton, and a dull article; Newfoundland £18 to £20, little at Market; New England £17; Whale £18. Please to observe all these prices are just now rather nominal than real, as the Dealers won't break a price untill they are well ascertained what Quantitys will arrive. Mahogony is become a mere Drugg all over the Kingdom, three entire Cargoes of it arrived lately in London. Tar is just now quite down, tho I imagine will get up towards Spring, and the price of Turpentine is likely to hold. Sugars are very high and a rising article, but alas, I fear they are out of your reach, The Marketts in England you must be convinced from experience are very fluctuating; in the course of a Month, they often rise or fall 20 per Cent, which every now and then inclines me to think it quite needless sending even the Prices Current. it is impossible to be informed what Quantitys of Goods may be expected, so many are the Ports in America from whence they come; frequently, when we think any articles are likely to be scarce, drop in Cargoes from all Quarters, when of course down goes the price again, and so vice versa; I have taken a good deal of

pains to inform Capt. Osborne by word of mouth of the State of this Market the year round; I would not take the Liberty, Sir, to refer you to him, but that I think him both an intelligent and an honest Man. never is a long while, but my beleif of Logwood is, that during our natural Lives it will never exceed £7. per ton. Inclosed is an exact Price Current.

Yesterday my Broker told me he expected soon, a large Cargo of Vitious Oil from London, as that Market was likely to be over stocked; the conveyances of Goods from that Port to this, and from this to that, are so easy, the difference of the Market seldom continues long, or material, the Price of the London Market generally regulates this. You may depend I shall ever do every thing in my power for your best advantage, avoiding as much as possible. writing any Intelligence but what may with safety be rely'd upon.

Capt. Lindsay being very desirous to embrace this so favourable an opportunity of returning home, I could not refuse indulging him with his Discharge, seeing no loss can accrue to the Ship in consequence thereof. I shall pay him and take his Receipt accordingly. the Sailors have also called for their Pay agreable to the Portledge Bill.

Capt. Lindsay is pleased to receive all the Passage Money for the Two Gentlemen he brought over. I think the Ship ought to have Credit for at least a Moiety. he says you chose to allow him the whole, so I've done on that Head; but, as you have allowed him £18:15:0 Stg. to bring him home, and as I have (for you) been so indulgent already to give him his Discharge, he ought to pay his Passage home (which is 5 Gs. to the Capt. and 5 Gs. to the Ship) or at least refund to you some of the £18:15:0 I have paid him; if it was my Case he should do one, or the other, as I think it is nothing but right, this rests with you.

I shall not fail to send you the few articles you are pleased to order, and having some knowledge of these things, will be curious in collecting them.

We omitted in the Invoice per the America to charge 12

doz. Matts, amounting as per account herewith to £5.10.8. Capt. Osborne had occasion for 3 Gs. more, which I paid him (as per his Receipt) and your Account debited for the

same.

Time will not admit of my saying more than that I am, with great Integrity and Regard, Your most assured Humble Servant Hen: Cruger, JUNIOR

JOHN POWELL TO CHRISTOPHER CHAMPLIN Dear Sir,

London, 28 October, 1765.

2

I WROTE you by Captain Bruce advising of my safe arrival here, since which received yours by the Bristol ship, that brought over Dr. Moffat and Mr. Howard.1 The latter is under Inoculation. I saw him yesterday is well. But a little too low spirited. You have not mentioned the prices of provisions with you. I find Beef much fallen in Boston, and Grain rather dearer at Philadelphia and N. York than when left Boston. hope you'l improve a cheap time to lay in, for the winter supply. Sir A. G.2 and myself have been to the persons who sold the Brass Kettles. The Principal is not in Town, but has promised to make good any loss. Their excuse I have endeavoured to set aside. I wonder much you did not mention it before to me. Mr. Grant I find took great pains to buy the goods sent you. But the Tradesmen now in London require a strict scrutiny into their Wares for exportation. Whatever recompence I can obtain you shall have credit for. I lost 6 per Cent difference in stock in six months only, and will be higher. Belchier paid your bill, also Captain Antrobus on his Brother in Ireland is accepted. Provisions are again dear in Ireland. I should think the Stoppage of Trade and scarcity of mony must reduce the Prices with

1 Dr. Thomas Moffat, a Scotch physician, and Martin Howard, Jr., appointed officers under the stamp act, were burned in effigy before the Court House, and sought refuge in England after their houses had been rifled by the mob.

2 Alexander Grant?