Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

met, engag'd, and overcome, by three of our Frygates having lost his Life during the Attack.

Tho we have constantly endeavord to push off your Sugars when the prices have been encouraging, from their low quality and the bad reputation of Antiguas this year we have not been able to dispose of more than your 10 Hhds. per Lusby at 42/6, Sales inclos'd; which tho' a good price for them is far inferior to such as we are able to render to our Friends in general. Our Market for our Natural Sugar has for some time been dull owing to the Foreign demand not being so sperited as expected, by supplys from Monte Christi and Guardaloup to foreign Marts immediately. The probability of the Malt Distillery being again open'd has also particularly contributed to hurt our Market for low Sugars, in reducing the price of Melosses; the distillers Petition has not however yet succeeded, and the City, on the other hand, we hope from their Petition will be able to continue that salutary and beneficial prohibition to which we attribute the Reformation among the People with their increased industry and uncommon sobriety.1 having comply'd with Mr. Blyzard's Order for Goods on Account of your Estate we inclose you duplicate of Invoice forwarded to him by our Fleet but lately sail'd. We shall further ship by the next Fleet 40 Hhds. Beans directed by him. Having nothing further at present to add but our respects to your Family and wishes for your health and felicity, remain with sincerity and regard, Your Oblig'd Humble Servants, RICHARD AND RICHARD OLIVER

The distillers have succeeded in their petition.

[Endorsed,] Per Capt. Whitson. i

1"The high prices of spirituous liquors manufactured in Great Britain, wisely occasioned by some late statutes, having greatly lessened the consumption thereof amongst the commonalty, and thereby contributed very much to their health, sobriety and industry; for the prevention of the return of former mischiefs, an act of Parliament passed in the thirty-third year of King George II For preventing the excessive Use of Spirituous Liquors, by laying additional Duties thereon: and for encouraging the Exportation of British-made Spirits, etc. Which law has further contributed to the said salutary end." Anderson, Origin of Commerce, III. 318.

Sir,

W. GRANT TO CHRISTOPHER CHAMPLIN 1

Monte Christo, 20th April, 1760.

I RECEIV'D yours of the 20 March, and likewise a Letter for Capt. Duncan, who is still at St. Domin'o. Yesterday I saw his Cooper, one Fish, who left him but 18 days from this date; from whom I have collected the following intelligence. That he Arrived at St. Domingo in 21 Days after he left Rhode Island, and after being there 10 Days landed his Fish which he sold at 8 ps. 8/82 per Quintal], also some dry goods which he landed chiefly Wollens were sold at a very good advance, but his Linnens are unsold, and that he expected to have permission to land his Flower every day, which in case he did was worth 12 ps. 8/8 per b'rll Capt. Duncan has been reduced almost to the grave by Sickness, but was entierly Recoverd before he left him, which in some measure detain'd him there. these are the most material affairs I learned from him and which I thought would give you the most satisfaction to know. As for times here they are so bad I dont care to say any thing about it. it is sufficient to tell you that Molasses is at 25 ps. 8/8 Brown Sugare 5 ps. 8/8 Communes 6 Whites 7: and Markets are as dull. but now I am writing about the times, I am almost Distracted and only wish to see you, which will be soon, to tell you I am, Sir, yours,

[blocks in formation]

YOUR favour of the 24th of May I received some time ago, since which have had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Lister who informed me of the Contents of your Letter much to

1 The original is in the Rhode Island Historical Society.

2 The Spanish peso duro (hard dollar), bearing the figure 8, and of the value of eight reals.

* The original is in the Rhode Island Historical Society.

the same Purpose of yours to me, and am very sorry to find that our Voyage from which I had conceived great hopes, is likely to turn out so very ill, however when I consider that what we did, we imagined was for the best, all I can say is, that we are unfortunate, and that it's in vain to repine.

I am now about trying a Voyage to our own Islands (since Trading with the Enemy has turn'd out so very ill) and shall sail for St. Kitts1 in about a week in a Sloop in which I am partly concerned myself, and therefore have sent you the enclosed Power of Attorney to enable you to dispose of my third part of the Schooner and Cargo in case she should arrive, as it will not answer for me to be concerned in a Vessell from Rhode Island and remain in this place, and make no manner of doubt but you will act as carefully for my Interest as tho' it were your own.

If the Schooner should arrive, and you dispose of my part of the Vessell and Cargo, desire you will remitt the N't Proceeds (in hard Cash) if possible together with the Accounts to James Duane,2 Esq'r, Attorney at Law in this place, with whom I have left a Power to act for me in my absence.

Mr. Lister informs me in a Letter I received from him since his arrival at Rhode Island that the Stills we bought, are sold again for the same money, and that he shall receive the money in a little time. Therefore have desired him in a Letter which goes with this, to pay into your hands whatever he shall have left, after deducting what I owe him, which beleive will near discharge what I was deficient in the purchase of the Schooners Cargo, the Remainder am obliged to leave unpaid, till her Arrival or my Return from the West Indias which hope will be in a short time;

I am, wishing you all the Health of Body and Mind, Success in Trade, or whatever else your heart can desire Dear Sir, Your sincere Friend and hum: Serv:

1 One of the Leeward Islands, now Saint Christopher.

2 (1733-1797).

DAVID JAMISON

RICHARD AND RICHARD OLIVER TO ABRAHAM REDWOOD

Sir,

London, 24th August, 1760.

WE beg leave to refer to our last of 23d June per the Jupiter, and copy per New York Packet. We are still without any of your favors, but hope no indisposition has prevented your writing. We now advise the arrival of our Leward Islands Fleet and the undermentiond Sugars on your Account.

5

Hhds. per London Packet, Davis.

5 Ditto per Martin, Hooper.

5 Ditto per Antigua Planter, Gladman.

5 Ditto per Sally, Lusby.

20 Hhds. and have Bill of Lading for 5 Hhd: more per the Johnson, Wm. Lessly, expected by the 2d Convoy to be look'd for the ensuing Month.

Our Market continues low and, as natural to expect on fresh supplys, fallen, but lower than we foresaw. We shall, therefore, still keep your 30 Hhds. formerly advis'd to be on hand in hopes of your Advantage their quality not having commanded a Price in proportion to other Sugars oblig'd our keeping them longer than desireable for taking the advantage of a bare Market; but this speculation from our Connexion with Guardaloup has not yet answer'd, and we had done better in selling, could we have foreseen that the prohibition on Corn Sperits would have been taken off.

We are affraid the quality of the above will not be better than usual, and for such, as indeed all Antiguas from their present general bad Reputation, we shall find it difficult to command a price in proportion to good Sugars to which the present demand is almost wholly confind, and some Dabs from Antigua sold lately at 25/6, some low Sugars at 29/, and good Midling at 35/. so great a falling off will be disagreable to all our Friends as well as it is to ourselves; but we must submit with the aggravation of an additional Duty. the finest St. Kitts Sugars now sells for

46/ which would this time 1[2] months have commanded 58/; lower Sugars have fallen in a still greater proportion. We hope for better times and shall you may be assur'd always act as we imagine most for your advantage.

Our German Affairs look badly. Cassell posess'd by the French, who have also enterd on some part of our Hanoverian Electorate. if the whole falls into their hands our affairs will wear a very different aspect from what they have done, and England on a Peace [will] feel the misfortune of a Continental connexion.

We pray our Compliments to your Family, and our Friend, your Son, and remain with real Esteem, Sir, Your Obliged and Obedient Humble Servants,

Gent:

RICHARD AND RICHARD OLIVER

JAMES DUNCAN TO BOWLER AND CHAMPLIN1

Kingston, Jamaica, 14 Fbu 1760.

was

I TAKE this occasion by my brother John Duncan to inform you [of] my misfortune of being sent in here taken aboute 10 Leagues to the westward of Cape St. Antony (the west end of Cuba) by the Harwich man of warr Will'm Marsh commander the 12th August at 4 o'clock in the morning. had the ill luck to fall just athwart his Bows. They did not discover us untill Daylight, when they gave us chase, then aboute 4 miles from us, the wind being light and flattering bro't him up with us at noone. he took possession of the vessell, took all my people on Board the man of warr, and man'd the Briggt. with his own people, and the next day put us under Convoy of the port Royal man of warr bound for Jamaica, where we arrived the Ist. Instant. I have applied to Mr. Moore and Several other principle Merchants to Lay in Claime for Vessell and

1 The capture of merchant vessels offered little profit compared to the taking of a Spanish galleon or treasure ship. In Anderson (IV. 13) are given the returns from La Hermione, a Spanish register ship, condemned in the Admiralty Court, November, 1762. The net proceeds were £519, 705. The admiral received £64,963; the captain of one of two capturing vessels, £65.053; and each of three commissioned officers, £13.004.

« AnteriorContinuar »