you, and all over the Continent. Tea, Hemp, and Duck, and all large Comodities, continue very high. That have ventured to ship nothing this fall, and am more confirmed have done right since the Riots took place. I hope Master Sullivan and you may be able to make out right, for if Williams returns, sayd the Maidstone,1 the Cygnet will return to her Winter Station at N. London. Admiral Amherst is to succeed Lord Colvill.2 I have heard of poor Bob's Death in the W. Indies; hope you will not be a sufferer. my Love to Peggy and Little one, Madam Bell, pray where is he and all friends. I rest, Dear Sir, Your very Affectionate Servant

3

J. POWELL

I find nothing can be done i[n] regard to American Affairs till the Parliament meets. God knows in what Temper that may be. There is many ill advisers here, who pretend to know much. Their views are to gain posts of office, etc. [Endorsed,] Per Captain Hamilton.

GEORGE CHAMPLIN TO CHRISTOPHER CHAMPLIN

Dear Brother,

Baltimore Town, Novm: 12th, 1765.

I WROTE you a long letter 29th October by way of Philadelphia and orderd it in the Post office, which make no doubt has come to hand by this. When I wrote you I expected to be loaded by this time but its the most unluckiest time we posobly coud have come here on all accounts, in the first place the quantitis of Rum and Molosses that has lately been imported here from Boston, and the Nessessity the Vessells ware under of dispatch, has

1 The Maidstone, man of war, Captain Antrobus, arrived at Nantasket, September 23, 1764. Letters and Diary of John Rowe, 63.

2 Alexander, 8th baron Colville, a naval officer, who attained in 1770 the rank of vice-admiral of the White. He married Lady Elizabeth Macfarlane, daughter of Alexander, 6th Earl of Kellie, and relict of Walter Macfarlane. He died May 21, 1770, without issue.

* The King's speech was read in Parliament December 17, 1765.

nock'd the Markitts down to nothing; notwithstanding they are very high in Philadelphia. the Merchants here are shiping Rum and Molosses there for a Markit and Flour likewise. Flour is at 13/ and rising principally occation'd by the drouth the Mills stand still for want of water here's Vessells here loading for Lisbon which will purchase 30,000 Bushels of Wheat and 4,000 Barr[el]s Flour and at present have not the 1/4 part purchased. Cap. Willcocks is here. he has not got his Quantity of Flour as yet. I have agreed Punctually for all mine at 12/6, and am now ataking in as fast as I can git it from the Mills; having it pack'd light detains me some time, as I am obliged to have the Barr[el]s made on purpose. I hope to be loaded in 8 days without disappointment, then shall proceed over to Chaptank1 in my way down to Patuxent to take in some Stock as its not to be had here. I have agreed with a man there to by me my stock again[st] I arrive there so hope not to be detain'd there long.

1

Custom House fees are exceeding high here. mine with the duties of 5 hhds Rum will amount to 18£ Currencey, so after paying that and purchaseing Provisions for my Vessell, shall not be able to put in for Cargoe to exceed the Memo. I shall give you at the Conclution of my letter by a ruf Calcolation.

3

The Stamp Act makes great Confution here.2 the Hornit Sloop cruises of the Capes and overhawles every thing that passes. however hope we have no reason to fear him as we shall have a proper Clearance before the first of Novm: Cap: Willcocks has been down at Patuxent 3 to clear out since I came here, and the Collector gave him his Word and Honnour that we shoud be both cleard the 28th of October, which I have no reason to doubt; I have wrote the Colonel severall letters requesting him to se me cleard in Season which I am sure he will no[t] faile [doi]ng.

1 Choptank River rises in Kent County, Delaware, and empties into Chesapeake Bay.

2 Correspondence of Horatio Sharpe, 111. 226, 229.

* In Ann Arundel County, about twenty-one miles southwest of Baltimore.

I beg you'll write me by all oppertunities to the Windard Islands. When I have compleated my Purchase at Chaptank will send you Invoice and B[ill of] Lading of my Cargoe, if I have oppertunity; if not you must govern yourself in regard to Insuranc by the memorandum at the bottom, which will be near the Contents and Amount of my Cargoe I shall take in. I have some Coffey and Cheese on hand.

Inclosed you have sales of Mr. Clark's Molosses, by which you'll find a ballance due to me, which beg you'll recover and give to my Wife, and you'll much oblige your Brother, GEO: CHAMPLIN

P. S. had considerable of Leakage 28 Galls. out of one hhd. through Wormholes. if I shud put in a little more flour than I have mentiond must lesson the Quantity of Stock etc.

Memo. of Sundry Merchdz. I propose to take on board for Cargoe viz.

I HOURLY expect the last Flour on board that I shall take in here, and in a fiew hours shall sale for Chaptank to take in some Stock, as I am inform'd by the Gentlem[a]n I

imploy there to purchase it for me that its ready; so hope not to tarry long there. I have not time to make out an Invoice of my Flour, etc., as I have not yet collected the originall ones from the different People, and the post is now agoing out; but if I have oppertunity will forward you sales invoices, etc., from Chaptank if not must refer you to the Memo. in my last of 12 Inst., which will bee near the Amount I have and shall take on board for Cargoe.

I have delt here principally with Mr. William Lux1 a very principall Merchant here who is fond of a Voyage to Newport; I have given him some Encoragement that a Cargoe of Flour, Bread, and some Barr Iron, may do there tollorable well in the opening of the Spring, to take N. E. Rum, West India Goods, etc., in return, which will suit him very well. I have left him a memorandum how to direct to you, as he tells me he will absolutely send a Vessell as soon as the Season will admitt, to Newport and to your address, which he desird me to mention you in my letters; and I make no doubt but you may depend upon his sending you one, as he is a very searious worthy Gentleman, and a Corospondance with him I am persuadid will not be out of your Way. beg you'll write me by all oppertunities. shall toutch at Dominica, and from thence if it does not suit to the Granord,2 whin you write be kind enough to accquaint my Wife, and you'll oblige your Brother,

GEORGE CHAMPLIN

P. S. our Schoone[r] makes a good deel Water.

JOHN AND WILLIAM POWELL TO CHRISTOPHER CHAMPLIN Boston, 25 November, 1765.

Sir,

WEE have your Favour 22 Instant and find the mistake in the Newport Mail hindered your having our letter of the 11th, to which refer you for what relates to Williams the

1 See p. 150, infra.

2 Granada?

Purser. have wrote J. Powell fully about it by last Ships to London; and the more wee think of it the more wee find the necessity of making a stand with Williams about his intended incroachment, which if he is allowed in, the Contract will not be worth keeping.

1

Mr. Warden expects 2 Vessells from Glasgow every day; if any thing on board for you shall take care that you know it timely for to get it on board Langworthy; also some Oatmeal, if to be had, its 2 months since expected some from a Back Town, and our stations ships has had none this 12 months, nor is there any even at Hall❜ll,1 from whence wee have an order to send some if to be had. Mr. Pain tells us this morning that his wine will be in the first East wind. wee have had 2 Letters from J. P[owell] of the 15. and 17 September. he had a fine Passage of 6 weeks. in regard to our Custom House wee are as far of now as 3 weeks ago; they only want the Surveyor to give them the least encouragement, or even to let them know he is indifferent about it, and they would give Clearances imediately. But so it is, he, the Surveyor, is afraid to give the Colector the least Sanction. Wee have got a Vessell gone to Phila. (one Whitmarsh) for Wheat and Flour, and have got a Letter from Capt. Bishop to the Phila. Gaurd le Coast to let him pass, he being loaded with Provisions for the Contractor; but how it will answer are afraid. The Macrell Catchers have brock and sold all their Macrell off at 21/4 per Br., and we have allowed so for all wee have sent to Philadelphia tho' not without great Reluctance and Scolding so that Mr. Gibb's Bill parelley from us stands viz.