Commerce of Rhode Island

[1726-1800]

JONAS LANGFORD TO ABRAHAM REDWOOD1

Deare Cousin Abrah. Redwood,2

Antig[ua] 4th Decemb: 1726.

I RECEIVED yours about a week after Capt. Browne sail'd from our Island, otherwise should have sent an answer by the same opportunity. I note the Contents of your Letter and according to your desire have spoke to the Governour' about the money you wrote to him for and he assured me that he had ordered you the same and was willing for your Coming over provided you had your Fathers Consent. I am glad to hear of your good health which mercy we at present enjoy. pray make our loves acceptable to your

1 The original is in the Newport Historical Society.

2 Abraham Redwood, the elder, born in Bristol, England, 1665, traded between London and Jamaica. In 1687 he settled in Antigua, where he married Mehetable, daughter of Jonas Langford, and thus became possessed of a large sugar plantation on the island, the Cassada Garden, with many slaves. In 1715 he removed to Salem, Massachusetts, and later to Newport, Rhode Island. He died there January 17, 1729, aged 64 years. This letter is addressed to his son, Abraham.

3 John Browne.

'Edward Byam, commissioned as Lieutenant-Governor of Antigua January 28, 1715, and again October 17, 1727. Antigua was one of the Leeward Islands, and John Hart held the governorship of these Islands, 1721-1727.

We beleive that there will be a Governour soon appointed;1 there are 2 or 3 Persons talked of, but I cannot learn who will have it. I am, Sir, Your most humble Servant,

London, 9 December, 1730.

[Endorsed,] Per C. Lightfoot.

Dear Sir,

ROW'D FRYE

RICHARD NUGENT TO ABRAHAM REDWOOD

Antigua, 7th January, 1730/1.

I MUST once more return you my hearty thanks for all favours perticularly for your kind recommendation in my favour, to my Brother, he has ever since treated me more like a Father then a Brother. I am well assured it's on your Account only, for before he almost heated me, and I must own it was in some Measure my owne fault; but for the future, hope shall take care to meritt the Carractor you gave him of me. I am sure he loves you intirly, for in all companey he talkes of you after the handsomest manner, and tells them how much he's obliged to you for renting him Land, when at the same time you refused others. I understand Young Mr. Langford designes to quitt your Estate in a little time. I am not sertain whether he designes it or not; but its publickly talkt of here. if he should, I know my Brother would verry read'ly take the same charge,

the American continent, however, supplied their needs in sugar, rum and molasses, by importing from the Dutch and French sugar colonies, and also brought in European goods and manufactures, in contravention of the navigation laws. English merchants dated this illegal trade from 1715, and in 1731 their complaints led to the preparing of a bill prohibiting the importation of sugar, rum or molasses, of the plantations of foreign nations (except Portuguese), into Britain or Ireland, or any of the King's Dominions in America, under forfeiture of lading, ship and furniture. The terms of the bill and the arguments raised are summarized in Anderson, Origin of Commerce, III. 177.

1 Lord Londonderry, appointed governor of the Leeward Islands in 1728, died September 12, 1729. William Matthew, the Lieutenant Governor, acted until October 30, 1733, when he was appointed governor, and held the office until his death, August 14, 1752.

2 Walter Nugent.

on him, and would be glad to have it in his power, to doe you any Service. if you don't take care you'l loose your Money in Giles Watkins's Hands. I believe if you would write to my Brother he would putt you in a way how to gett it, for I heard him say it was a pitty you should be so treated, and he protested had he power he would make him pay it imeaditly. I give you this Hint for your Goverment. I hope in a little time, to have the Honour of takeing you by the Hand. Pray my kind Service to your good Spouse,1 Mrs. Betty, Content, and the Little Ones, not forgetting Captain John Browne, and all freinds, and please to accept the same from him that is with great Esteem, Worthy Friend

Your

mosh

Richted

Richiro Mugenk

P. S. I begg you'l not mention anything of the above, to any body. I am Yours, R N.

Sir,

ROWLAND FRYE TO ABRAHAM REDWOOD

I WROTE you lately to Antigua and sent your account current, but I since understand that you are at Rhode Island, and now enclose you there a Copy of it, which I hope you will find to be right, the Ballance is £715:17:8d Favour.

in your

I have honoured your Bill to Thomas Richardson for £140:- tho' I have had no advice of it. I beleive it would be proper for the future to send advice, when you 1 Martha Coggeshall.

draw, least any one should forge your hand or alter the Tenour of your Bill.

Sugar bears but an indifferent Price with us nor are they likely to be high this year, there is so much of the last Crop on hand. Midling sell at 21/ to 23/ very good to 26/ per Ct. I am, Sir, Your most humble Servant,

THE above is coppy of my last. This goes via Boston to advise of your Granmothers1 Death in Barbadoes, fourteen days agoe, and that your kinsman Jonas Langford has taken possesion of his Popeshead Estate, and designes [to] quitt yours, in five or six days. I offred my Service to take care of your Estate in his roome, but he tells me, the Governour has promist young Major Tomlinson,2 untill he has your final Determination, whome you'l chuse. I have nothing to say against the Gentleman, but you are best Judge which of us, you scincearly believe has your Interest most at heart. you always told me, and I don't in the least doubt your Honour, that you would serve me in any thing in your Power. its now in your Power to serve me and your self alsoe. Just now he came to me and told me he came from the Governor where he was making Interest to Manage your Estate, and desired the favour of me to give him a line to you in his favour. I told him he must excuse me; for I was in hopes you would come and settle your Estate your self, which I heartly wish, it may suit with your Conveniency so to doe; but if you did not, I did not in the least doubt, but you would give me

1 Mrs. French? See the next letter.

2 John Thomlinson, Jr.