who are sworn to regulate their verdict by its tenor can do otherways than condemn it, altho their Conscience may dictate to them from a point of equity, that it aught to be restored to you. what Congress may determine respecting this case if appeal'd to, is uncertain, or whether there is a posibility of refering the matter to them after the decission of this Court, is equally so; Mr. Jno. Cushing thinks that in all Maritime Causes, where the Captors and Claimant, are both residents of the State, there is no apeal. yet be that as it may, I am confident your disposition will be to avoid the Law if practicable, and from what I this day could learn by Jno. Lowell it appears to be very much so; he saw me at the Shop door this morning, and under pretext of enquiring the price of some articles, came in, and finding me alone, he told me he came to apprize me, that he had been apply'd to for Councill in a Case, which he since was inform'd you was interested in, tho he could not believe it from many circumstances that appeared, such as the vessell's being reported from Curaçoa, and his not hearing of your being either at the place of her arrivall, or here, before this to claim her, that should it prove yours, he should feel very unhappy, as he was engaged by the other party, and must faithfully do his duty, and was very certain that it would be imposible to get the least part of the vessell or Cargo clear. I was cautious of saying much to him least his design might be to pump me, therefore let him have all the talk to himself, and only told him after he had finish'd, that I had heard of this vessell before and had had it suggested to me from Colo. Pope, that it was suposed to be yours, which I thought might probably be, and in consequence had requested of him, to suspend the matter where it then was, untill I could hear from you, as you was out of the State; he then said that he was extreemly glad the Colo. was so favourably disposed, and that he knew there would be no great difficulty in settling it without law, as the Colo. had told him after taking his opinion, that, altho' the Law was so pointed in favor of the Captors, yet as there was a surmise of the propertys being yours, he could heartely wish to be Instrumental if so, in making matters as favourable as posible and that he thought they would be disposed to make better terms with you than with any other person on the Continent. he then said he could wish if the property was realy yours, that you might be able to attend to it speedely, as the delay of every day, might alter the disposition of the Captors by giving them time to listen to the persuations of the many evil minded persons there is in the world. from this, I think we may draw a favourable Conclusion, and trust, that the almighty will be yet pleased to terminate this affair to your wishes, the which, I fervently pray: You will have observed, that since your absence I have forwarded the whole of what was left to my care, which I hope has arrived in good order, and may merit your approbation. I have still some Moneys remaining on hand, not being able to purchace Bills at what you was pleas'd to stipulate. they are now from 12 to 15 per Ct. discount only, and very scarce even at that. I have the pleasure to advise you our having finish'd Sales of what suppose Superfine Flour has been transmited. the last (I mean what was good of it,) went at 27/. as Christmas is now approaching, more will command a ready sale. I wish what may be sent, may be properly attended to as much of the last was miserable, and many of the Bar'ls very iniquitiously tare'd. I am very respectfully, Dear Sir, Your Obedient Nephew D. Lopez, JR. Dear Sir, JOSIAH HEWES TO AARON LOPEZ Philadelphia, 24 December, 1781. My last was of the 11th Inst. since which have none of your favours. This chiefly, is to give you price current, and some account of Trade. Not one Vessell arrived from Holland this fall, and now navigation [is] sumwhat interupted. Last week it was totally stopt a few days, but opened again on Sunday. a fall of snow last evening, I expect will cause a nother Imbargo. tea has rose to 7/6 and likely will be much higher soon, that I still keep the four Chest left, after forwarding the two to fishkill. there is the greatest probability at present of tea being 9/. as most of the glutt of that article which arrived in August and September is gone East and West, that it is become scarce, and much sought after. I wish to watch this matter to get the highest price, and yet am somewhat fearfull, I shall not hit it. you are very senceable of this difficulty. however will do my utmost for your intrest. bills rose to 7/11⁄2d, but now are falling, have been sold this day at 6/9 for five livers, and by the best information, will rather fall yet. European goods rather on the rise say 2/6 and 2/9 to 3/ per Liver. this is owing to several vessels from France lately lost and some gone into other ports, and not one of the Gottenburg or Amsterdam Vessels arrived. The Congress pas'd an Ordanance etc. that no English goods be imported into the thirteen States after the first of March, 1782, which you will likely soon see published in the News papers.1 this being at present the needfull am with the Most Sincere Regard yours, Price Current. Jam. Rum 13/ Windward 11/ common 21/ bread 16/6 beeff £6.10 pork £8 Melasses 7/6 Coffe 17 and 18d pepper 7/6 JOSIAH HEWES Country 8/ fine flour 24/ Raw Sugars 80/ loaf 20d Race Ginger 22d Ground 2/6 Pymento 3/4 Rock Salt 22/6 to 25/ Cotton 2/4 Cordage £7 Russia duck £8 ditto Sheeting £9 tar 35/ pitch 80/ turpentine 90/ Madeira wine of first quallity and fitt for use 17/6 to 20/ common low new ditto 10/ to II/ port 12/6 Lisbon 9/ Tenerieff 8/6 fiall 7/6 Indigo 7/6 Barr Iron £40 whale bone in slabs 8/ and none at market. I wish I could get a few Sable Skins am tould their plenty in Boston at 2/6 and here worth 12/ but I want a few for Muffs and Tippets for our family. N. B. I have made perticular enquiry but cannot learn what was saved out of the Spanish fame. 1 Journals of the Continental Congress (L. of C. ed.), XXI. 1154. The ordinance was passed December 4, and was issued as a broadside. Dollars, affivi Livres Tournow p collage Numb 15 United States of AMERICA, ♪ Day of January 1782 T Thirty Days Sight of this Second Bill, First, Third and Fourth not paid, pay to William Choate or Order, Eighteen Dollars, in Ninety Livres Tournois, for Intereft: due on Money borrowed by the United States. K To the Commiffioner or Cmmiffioners of the Commiffioner of the Continental Loan-Office in the State of United States of AMÉRICA, 75? Day of January 1782 T Thirty Days Sight of this Third Bill, First, Second and Fourth not paid, pay to William Choate or Order, Eighteen Dollars, in Ninety Livres Tournois, for Interest! due on Money borrowed by the United States. QS To the Commiffimer dr 6mm flioners of the Counterfigned Nath Appleton Commifioner of the Continental Loan-Office in the State of Massachusetts Livres Echfer # Dollars, Afive kore Tournous pollen. Numb. 58 United States of AMERICA, 15' Day of January 1782 T Thirty Days Sigist of this Fourth Bill, Firft, Second and Third not paid, pay to William Choate A or Order, Eighteen Dollars, in Ninety Livres Tournois, for Interest due on Money borrowed by the United States. LN To the Commiffioner or Commiffioners of the "Waited States of Ameracy in P, Counterfigned, Nath Appleton M.Millegas Treas Commiffioner of the Continental Loan-Office in the State of Massachusetts AGREEMENT BETWEEN BENJAMIN PEIRCE AND CHRISTOPHER CHAMPLIN WHEREAS Mr. Christopher Champlin on his particular account and risk, and upon his account and Mr. Geo. Gibbs, hath shiped on board the Brigantine Minerva (myself Master) upon Freight for the Havannah sundry Merchandize upon conditions of Freight as is expressed in each bill of Lading signed for said Goods it is hereby agreed and understood that I am to sell said Merchz. at the Havannah at five per Cent commission and bring back the neat proceeds thereof in cash on board said Brig. Minerva free from Freight or commission provided it is the custom so to do at Philadelphia in similar cases where Goods have been shiped to the Havannah. If it is customary, to receive Freight for money so returned. In that case I am to receive the customary Freight charged at Philadelphia in similar cases. Should it so happen that I do not return direct to New England, that I have liberty to ship home the neat proceeds of said Merchz. by any arm'd Vessell of equal Force as to men and guns as my Brig. bound either to Boston Newport or Connecticut, upon the best terms in your power. Consented and agreed to, Newport, 6 March, 1782, by Sir, CHRIS. CHAMPLIN CHRISTOPHER CHAMPLIN TO JOSIAH HEWES1 Newport, 9th April, 1782. YOUR favor of [blank] March to Mr. Gibbs hands us the agreeable advice of the Lark's Arrival with you, your market much lowered. We were short in our Instructions by the Lark, respecting Insurance round. We therefore request that you make for our joint account Insurance on the Sloop Lark and Cargo Robert Champlin Master from Philadelphia to the Havannah on the Island 1 The original is in the Newport Historical Society. |
