MARK PRINGLE TO CHRISTOPHER CHAMPLIN

Dear Sir,

Baltimore, 4th June, 1784.

I HAD the pleasure of writing you a few lines under the 13th April in answer to yours of the 25 February. My being much from home since that period, and Mr. Hopkin's residing out of Town, prevented me from an interview with him until a few days ago, which produced nothing more satisfactory than the inclosed letter. I really believe he is disposed to pay your Claims, but I believe also, what he says in his letter, that he cannot do it at present, and was I to give you advice, it woud be, to wait till December rather than commence a Suit, which he might protract for a much longer time. Nevertheless, if it is your desire, I shall put his note into the hands of a Lawyer. By the inclosed price current you'll perceive that N. England Rum has taken a start, but I am of opinion it will not support its present price longer than the demand of supplies for harvest continues. I should be very happy in rendering you acceptable services, whenever your views and business extend this way, for which purpose give me leave to recommend to your friendly notice, Ridley and Pringle, who will at all times shew due attention to your Interest, or to that of your friends. I cannot however recommend, or point out, any beneficial speculation to this market at present, which is already overstockd with almost every article of importation; money is scarce, and produce high, but the very favourable appearance of Crops, I hope, will have an agreeable effect.

I shall be very glad to learn from you, when you have leisure, how Mrs. Bell and her family are, what events have taken place since their removal to England, and the death of my Uncle. Be so good, Sir, as to present my best respects to Mrs. Champlin and your family, and believe that I am, with very great regard, Dear Sir, Your most Obedient Servant,

MARK PRINGLE

ROBERT CHAMPLIN TO GEORGE GIBBS AND Co.

Wilmountown June the 6th 1784.

Dear Sirs, I am sorry to in form you that I never saw so much olteration in so little tim as there is at this. when I left this thare was only 5 Sail of Vessels and the Shores lind with Lombor and know thare is 64 larg Sail mos of them English. at this tim thare is not 3 Hoghh. of Tobaco nor Rice in this Country and not one Foote of Lombor can be bough for those forren Ships has swept everthing and ar not loaded. I cannot sell the Brig. Rum I cannot sell at more than 2/6 this mony. the River is so lo that the Lombor cannot come down for thare has ben no rains here this long time. I dont think that I can get a Load of Lombor till August. my Rum will not half load me Boards is at £6.10 hard mony so what to do God noes. The Jenteele men that I expect to sell the Brig to say now thay have no yous for a Vessell for they have nothing to put in them. to brake my orders I darnt due and to stay here till August and then only get a Load of Lomber must sink everything for Mr. Walker will not pay any Lomber becaus he can sell that for hard mony. I no not what to due. I woush I could have a Line from you. I am Your damd onluckkey Sarvant.

1

I rot you by the way of Boston.

ROBT. CHAMPLIN

I have ben here ever sence the 1 day of June only had one offer of the Brig £500 and that to be payd in tobacco in October the man is good and my be depended upon but I think the price too small.

To Mesures George Gybbs and Comp. Marchants in Rhode Island.

WILLIAM GREEN TO CHRISTOPHER CHAMPLIN

Dear Sir,

As Thursday next is now determined to be the day of the Active's sailing, I embrace the present opportunity by Mr. Brattle, to bid you and your good family a temporary adieu; and to wish you all imaginable happiness and success. If the expectations you entertained of the time of your Members return from Congress are just, you must ere now have learnt from him the means by which a pass for the Hydra is to be obtain'd, from that body, and I trust have put the affair in a proper train to obtain it without any loss of time; this pass is so indispensable an Instrument to cover the real nature of the Voyage, that I cannot proceed without it. I do not apprehend that any letter from you on this subject is likely to reach me here, therefore if you write by the June and July Packets, addressing me as usual in Harpur Street, or under the cover of Mr. Wilkinson, I shall have hopes of receiving your letters in good time, and without the uncertainty of private Conveyance; I do not at this moment see, why the Pass itself may not be sent by the July packet, and a Duplicate or attested Copy should follow by the next conveyance, which will obviate the Inconveniences that may arise from the accidental miscarriage of the first. If a Duplicate cannot be easily had, a Copy will do if publickly attested by any State Officer. You must be sensible that this form is of so much importance, that nothing can be done without it, and I shall be put to terrible Inconveniences if after having fitted and loaded my Ships I do not get it. It will half ruin me, and totally destroy the whole plan of my Voyage. Give a moment's scope to reflection and you will' see as I do the necessity of a prompt and decisive exertion. The June Mail will be dispatcht the first Wednesday in July from New York, and the succeeding Mail the same day in August. I rely entirely on the pleasure of hearing from you by every opportunity. There are two Vessels will sail from this port for London early in July from the Ist to the Ioth. I saw our friend Kit yesterday he is well.

Repeat my assurances of regard to my good Grandmama,
Mrs. C. and your dear Girls and believe me, with sincere
Esteem, Your Obliged and Most Humble Servant,

Boston, 14 June, '84.

WILL GREEN

Sir,

JOHN GREENE TO CHRISTOPHER CHAMPLIN

Gothenburg, June 16th, 1784.

I HAVE the pleasure to inform you of the arrival of your Brig Richmond at Marstrand after a passage of thirty four days, ware I lay one day and then proceeded to Gothenburg. at my arrival I found by strick inquiry that Mr. Söderström was adoing business and in good Creadit. he gives me incouragement of the sales of Tobacco, as he has lately sold cargo of Capt. Heagersons at about 5d Stg. and does not in the least doubt but ours will fetch as much. the Candles he is in hopes to sell as before, and promises me with great Despash we shall begin to discharge to morrow.

Mr. Söderström has not received the Ballance of Mr. Black for Mr. Gibbs as yet. I shall write more perticulars by Capt. Skinner who sails for New York in about a fort

night.

Son Game Bid Lemn the. Sund
John Gamer

P. S. The Captains Lane and Heagerson are arrived
hear and there cargoes sold as above. We are all well on
board.

Tea per li.

Sir,

CARL SÖDERSTRÖM TO CHRISTOPHER CHAMPLIN

Gothenburg, 16th June, 1784.

Referring you to my last Respects the 14th Aprill the present serves to congratulate you on the safe arrival of your Brig Richmond, Captain John Green who delivered me the 14th Instant your esteemed Favours of the 10th and 7th ulto. the former accompanying Account Sales of my Hemp and Junk the Neat Proceeds whereof £247.5 Lawful Money or £185.8.9 Sterling I have placed to the debit of Richard Söderström1 as you have ordered him to value on you for the same. This adventure turns out but a losing one to me, though I suppose you have done the best you could. Respecting the Sales of your 106 Hogsheads Tobacco and 50 Boxes of Spermacetti Candles I can only say that no assiduity shall be wanting on my part to render them as profitable as possible, much will depend on the quality of the Tobacco, but the demand is greatly slakened owing to a supply of upwards of 400 Hhds which were sold by Auction last Week and averaged a price of about 4/6: the Quality was as good as what came by your Brig last Year.

I have noted the returns you wish to be made for the Neat Proceeds of this Cargo which as closely as possible shall be attended to. The Iron shall be ship'd agreeable to Assortment, but of Pettersburg Hemp and Russia Duck there is none at present in Town. an supply however may arrive in time but the price of the latter will certainly go higher than 8 R£ per piece, and as War was as much at end last Year as this there is no ground to suppose that the price of either article will be lower. Tea is also got a little up, and no great deal on hand. I shall however be able to supply you with the requisite quantity and at the lowest price, though if not to be got at the price you limit the alternative

1 Richard Söderström was, in 1785, recognized by the governor of Massachusetts as Swedish consul at Boston, thus raising a question whether such recognition pertained to a State or to the Continent. See Life and Correspondence of Rufus King, 1. 75.