Sir,

GEORGE HAYLEY 1 TO CHRISTOPHER CHAMPLIN

London, 3 January, 1766.

I MAKE no doubt but before you receive this letter you will have heard of the dissolution of the partnership between Mr. Champion and myself, which took place on the 31st of last Month; This event makes me think it necessary tc address a few lines to you to acquaint you with my resolution to carry on business in my own name, and to make you an offer of my services in the execution of your future commands, assuring you that whatever you may think proper to entrust me with shall be attended to with the utmost punctuality and executed with the strictest fidelity, and that I will in every instance endeavour to approve myself worthy of your regards. I have no doubt but you must be well acquainted that the business of the House has been long conducted entirely by me, and that every part of it has been done either with my own hands, or under my immediate inspection (Mr. Champion's health having for several years past been so indifferent as to cause him to reside altogether in the Country); so that the dissolution of the partnership will make no sort of difference in the manner of my conducting the business; but I shall for the future labour in my own name to do everything in the best manner for the service of my friends, as I have hitherto done the like in the names of C. & H. I hope and flatter myself that such part of your business as you have hitherto entrusted me with has been executed to your satisfaction, and I shall rejoyce in future opportunities of shewing how much I am, Sir, Your most humble Servant,

GEO. HAYLey

Copy. Original per Calef.

[Endorsed,] Per Capt. Shand.

1 A merchant and alderman of London, who married a sister of John Wilkes.

SPERMACETI AGREEMENT 1

THIS Indenture of Covenant made the fourteenth day of January in the Year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and Sixty six- Between Peter R. Livingston of the City of New York, Esq, of the one part and Robert Jenkins of Rhode Island of the other part. Witnesseth. that the said parties to these presents have agreed and by these presents Do agree to enter into a Partnership in the Business of Manufacturing Spermaceti Candles for the Term of Five years next ensuing. And for that end it is mutually covenanted and agreed by and between the Parties to these presents. That a convenient place for that Business shall be hired or purchased at the equal expense of both Parties, and a Square building erected of Thirty feet by thirty, with fourteen feet post, to which there shall be added a shed Thirty feet by twenty four foot with eight feet posts. the charge whereof is in like manner to be defrayed at the joint expense of both parties. And the said Peter R. Livingston doth hereby grant and agree to and with the said Robert Jenkins that he will annually advance for carrying on the said works so much money as will be sufficient to perchase six hundred Barrels of head matter every year, and cause the same to be delivered at the said works. And he the said Robert Jenkins doth by these presents covenant and grant to and with the said Peter R. Livingston That he, the said Robert Jenkins shall and will faithfully work up the said Spermaceti Candles from the said head matter in a masterly manner, and in all things conduct and manage the said works to the best profit and advantage. And it is mutually agreed between the said Parties that all the Utensils which are necessary for carrying on the said works and which are comprised in the schedule hereunto annexed, shall be purchased at the joint expense of both the said parties according to the computation therein set down. And Further, that all expenses attending the leasing or

1

1 Original in the possession of George C. Mason, in Reminiscences, 1. 44.

purchasing the ground necessary for the said works and 'or erecting and Building the same and also for perchasing the said utensils as well as the money to be advanced by the said Peter R. Livingston for the said supply of head matter shall in the first place be fully repaid from the proceeds to arrise from the said works and Business. And that the Residue of the said proceeds shall be divided between the said Peter R. Livingston and Robert Jenkins. That is to say. Two full one third parts equally divided shall be had and received by the said Peter R. Livingston in consideration of the moneys to be advanced by him for the carrying on the said works; And the remaining one third part thereof shall be had and received by the said Robert Jenkins in consideration of his labour and care thereon. And it is mutually agreed between the saide parties that each of them shall at all times have free recourse to the said works and liberty and authority to inspect the same and all Books and accounts relating thereto. In Witness whereof the parties to these presents have hereunto interchangeably set their hands and seals the day and year above written.

Witnefs HUGH RIDER

HANNAH FERRIS

PETER A. LIVINGSTON

CALCULATION OF THE UTENSILS.

I large yron screw with a false collar abt. 457 lb @ £20.12.11

2 long round Barrs 2 guid Barrs & 40 Iron Plates

}

46.10.5

16d

£12. 9. 4
6

For boring the box to fit the screw

THE Debates in Parliament lasting so long on the StampAct determin'd me to return to my Business ere it was terminated. I was three Weeks in London, and every Day with some one Member of Parliament, talking as it were for my own Life. it is surprising how ignorant some of them are of Trade and America. The House at last came to a Resolution to examine only one person from each place, that brought Petitions. Mr. William Reeve, being the Senior of us who went from Bristol, was put in the Votes. Upon hearing of this Resolve, I set out, and arriv'd here late last Night; it is now Afternoon, and not until this Moment wou'd Mr. Penington let me know his Vessel was bound to New York. he assures me no Man in Bristol knows it but Mr. Hayes and myself. I will employ what little time I have in scribling as much News to you as I can, supposing every Body (on your side) are impatient for the Stamp-Act; Tuesday the 11th Instant Mr. Trecothick was order'd to the Barr of the House of Commons, where he was examined, and X examined 3 Hours; the last Question Lord Strange1 (your Enemy) asked, was this: if he did not think the Americans wou'd rather submit to the S[tamp] Act than remain in the Confusion they are in?

1

1 James Smith Stanley, commonly called Lord Strange, a representative of Lancashire and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

It was not a proper Question. Mr. Trecothick was order'd to withdraw: some Debates ensued: he was recalled to the Barr, and told the House had altered the Question to this, if it was not his Opinion the Americans wou'd acquiesce with the Stamp Act provided it was mitigated? Mr. Trecothick answer'd, it was his Opinion, that no Modification of the Act wou'd reconcile it and that the Americans wou'd be contented with nothing less than a Total Repeal.

This inflamed Grenville's Party. they called you, insolent Rebells. I dread his Party coming into Power before the Act is repeal'd. if they do, they'll certainly scourge you, altho, some English Merchants are ruined by it.

We have proved the Debt from the Continent of America, to England is five Millions Sterling. this Grenville attempted to disprove, and is what makes the Examinations at the Barr so tedious.

All the principal Manufacturing Towns have sent Petitions for a Repeal of the Stamp Act. A Manufacturer from Leeds was order'd to the Barr, who said, since the Stagnation of the American Trade he has been constrained to turn off 300 Families out of 600 he constantly employ'd. this fact will have great weight when added to many more evidences of the like kind. The Country Members are somewhat alarmed at so many People losing Employ, if anything repeals the Act, it must be this. the Present Ministry see and have declared the Expediency of repealing on this ground. if the late Ministers come in again, and enforce the Act, they will have 20,000 unemployed Poor in a suppliant manner petitioning a Repeal of the S: Act, otherwise they must starve, or; so I think there is no doubt but it must be repeal'd on some grounds, or some Cause or other, especially if you stick to your engagements of having no English Goods untill it is effectuated. this Resolution I hope you'll abide by, nay! it is my Opinion this tiresome Procrastination wou'd never have happen'd, if you had sent no Ships away 'till it was decided, for Mr. Grenville has declared he will try to keep it off this 6 Weeks in hopes you will at last submit, saying it is a Proof you