Newport. In consequence of his and my disagreeing on this point I entered the Protest which I now send to Messrs. Samuel Fowler and Christopher Champlin, to the former of whom Mr. Vernon in a Letter I lately received from him recommended my sending a Power of Attorney in order that an End may be put to this unfortunate Concern, which I now more than ever see the Necessity of doing, and have accordingly empower'd said friends to dispose of my Share of her and concur with you if you desire it in letting the Vessell be sent to Providence, either to sell or discharge, and the sooner the better, as I am resolved to be no longer connected with Captain Sheffield, whose Conduct I before informed you I was perfectly dissatisfied with, and his recent Behaviour obliged me to communicate to him my Sentiments very freely, as you'll see by the Copies of a letter I received from him at Drogheda and my Note to him in reply. you'll also see by the Copy of my letter 25th ulto. to Mr. Ryberg, that he left this without acquainting me where he intended to proceed with the vessell. Mr. Vernon in his Letter to me very properly notices the loss of a Cable and Anchor, the Circumstance of their being stole is rather extraordinary as they were not of so light Carriage. the Charge of Coll. Wards Expences at Virginia he has given me Credit for, as well as for a short Credit in Exchange, which when I formerly complained of he absolutely refus'd to allow me for, and likewise obliged me to give him Credit for the one half of 750 Bushells of Salt at amount £84.7.6, stopt from him by Mr. Arnold for Breach of Contract made by Coll. Ward and Captain Sheffield for a vessell they had bargained with him for, and upon my telling him this Voyage that I could only be liable for a fourth of this Sum we left it to a refference, which was given against me by the Refferees, before whom and in the Presence of Captain Handy Junior, he made use of the most improper Language respecting Mr. Arnolds conduct, and declared that tho' he had exonerated both Coll Ward and himself from their Agreement yet he retained the amount of the Salt from him. I askd him to give me a letter to Mr. Arnold on this subject, that if it

2

उ

was a fact that he releas'd him from said agreement I might apply to have the half of the above Sum of £84.7.6 repaid me by that Gentleman. he did accordingly write the draft of a letter and told me he would make a fair Copy and leave it with me, but did not; on the said Subject have only to remark that from the high Character Captain Sheffield (on asking me to be concerned in a vessell) gave me of Mr. Arnold and Coll Ward, made me conclude they and him in Conjunction would have purchased a vessell on the cheapest and best Terms from the mutual Benefit of all concerned, but I find from Captain Sheffields Language he has changed his opinion of Mr. Arnold, tho' its probable his Vindication of himself on the Occasion made him say what he afterwards was sorry for, however be this as it may, I must unless Mr. Arnold considers me, be a further Loser of £42.3.9 in addition to the other large Sums lost by the Imprudence of Captain Sheffield, who seems to me determined (let his Owners sink or swim) to make all the Money he can out of them, and what evinces this is his attempt to make them pay his Son 2nd Mates Wages, a boy that had not been a Month from School, and was only fit to be put an Apprentice. his other Apprentice he makes act as chief Mate, which from his Youth and inexperience is very improper, and am surprized you allowd it. his wages should be but small. on looking into his Account of Overcharges you sent me he has given me Credit for my Part of them, except those Charges for Expences in Virginia Cove and St. Eustatius amounting to £15.2.4 which he absolutely refus'd saying he would have a Refference with you on the same at his Return, when I trust and hope you'll oblige him to settle all accounts in a fair and proper Manner, and act with Messrs. Fowler and Champlin for my Ballance, my Part should be deducted as he charged me Commission on every Transaction at each place; the Staves sent to Waterford remain unsold, would not bring more there than here from their indifferent Quality and plenty at Market. herein is the Ships disbursements and the Freight account, if possible you shall have the Sales of flaxseed.

1

4

1

Mr. Reuben Harvey of Cork a few days ago wrote me that the Solicitor of the Revenue had applied to him for Payment for £100 the amount of the Bill of Costs for the Crowns Expences in the Condemnation of the Fame and Goods, for which amount he joined Captain Sheffield in a Bond. I wrote him in answer to petition the Commissioners of the Revenue setting forthe the Hardship of his being obliged to pay the same, when Captain Sheffield lost his all etc. and hope it will have a proper effect, tho' from what the Solicitor told me I believe it will be insisted on, if so I shall not have sufficient in my hands out of the Proceeds of the Staves to pay Mr. Harvey. the difficulty of course must be made good by all concerned. you will please settle for my of the vessells freight on Voyage to Copenhagen and Rhode Island with Messrs. Fowler and Champion, wishing for nothing more than is just and all matters be settled in an amicable manner; I can have no Objection to continue concernd with you in this vessell (provided Captain Sheffield is purchased out) if continued in Trade between this Place and yours or Providence, and as freight of Ashes are generally to be had there or to be purchased with red Oak Bark etc. on Owners account, she might make two Voyages in the year if we are active on both sides. it has given me great Concern that we should differ in Opinion about the Copenhagen Voyage which I dare say were you here you would disapprove of. I am Gentlemen Your most humble Servant,

EDWARD FORBES

CHRISTOPHER CHAMPLIN TO BROTHERS DEBAUQUE

Gentlemen,

Newport, May 30, 1787.

I HAVE had the pleasure to receive several of your Favours and in particular that of March 20th. it gives me pleasure that the mode pursued in repairing the Dauphin is conformable to your request as the Greenland Voyage was at an end for the Season, and that the articles purchased for your a/c are such as will afford great profit and intirely useful

in the whale fishery. Inclosed you have account sales of your Hemp, Iron, Cordage and Currants net amount £1012.4.8 to your Credit also Invoice of sundry articles shiped per the Dauphin on your a/c amounting to £792.12.7. and likewise my account of expenditure for repairing the Ship and equiping her for her Voyage to Dunkirk including money advanced to Captain Haydon amounting to £1351.7.6 both sums to your Debit. my account current is also inclosed ballanced by sundry Draughts on you vizt.

which bills I flatter myself you will duly honour. the situation our public affairs are under and the Paper Currency emitted having operated much against commercial matters has rendered your business very difficult to negotiate. I am happy to have closed it without having any outstanding Debt at risk, and I flatter self to your satisfaction, as we have not deviated from your Policy of Insurance and Captain Haydon having his Protest and Survey of the Ship duly authenticated, I doubt not of your adjusting the Damages with the Underwriters amicably. Captain Haydon merits your thanks for his very great attention to your business throughout the whole equipment, and to him I beg leave to refer you for a number of Particulars. I am with Tenders of my future Service and Esteem, Gentlemen, Your most humble Servant,

C. C.

[Memo.] Rough Copy of letter to Messrs. Brothers DeBauque at Dunkirk.

Sir:

BROTHERS DEBAUQUE TO CHRISTOPHER CHAMPLIN

Dunkirk, 3 July, 1787.

WE received timely your esteemed favour of 16th april 24th and 30th may contents duely observed: the last handed by captain Wm. Haydon safe arrived after a short passage of 22 days; we have found inclosed the several documents of sales, repairs and Invoice of sundry articles shipped per the Dauphin, which after examination shall be written in conformity so as your account current balanced by your five drafts together £817.8.8 in order several which have meet with due acceptance; we say you much thanks for your great attention to our business, which we claim again as we intend to send back said Ship in about three weeks when we shall have the pleasure to write you more fully in the mean while we are with all regard, Sir: Your most obedient Servants

BROTHERS DE Bauque

Sir:

ANTO. FR. THIRINGK TO BENJAMIN PEIRCE

St. Petersburgh, 6th July, 1787.

It was a particular pleasure to me, to be informed of your safe arrival at Copenhagen, wishing that your return home may be like successfull.

From Mr. Ryberg you'll have learned, that the Sailcloths and Ravenducks intended on board of your Ship, had been shipt of already, like I am buisy to do with the hemp, upon which I hope to be able to inlarge next post and I hope that both these Consignments will arrive in time so as to make a sutable Stowage for your Ship. But a pitty 'tis, that from our great distance, we are prevented of a regular Correspondence to America, which becomes a detriment to trade, like 'tis the present case that on the arrival of several ships from that part, the prices of the russ Goods have got up amazingly high, that of clean hemp advanced to Ro. 21 and is held at