towards the close of our Navigation, and what further passes in trade, shall have the honour to keep you informd of at its time.

I have conversed with good Captain Peirce about the mode of stricking out a Line of business with your country and in particular upon those articles that may be imported from America to this country, but to my knowledge there are but few whereto any attention can be paid it be[tter] than Furrs Leather and Cotton. the former we import from England and this being second hand, I think might do best. from your port. we chiefly do take black Canada Bear Skins, the lighter the better, Canada Fishers Skins, large Canada Racoon Skins and dark sprin[g] coney Skins, all to be well dressed when they will meet with a ready Sale. We get also from London Calf and Seal Skins besides Butts Leather and your Cattle being so good I should think this would become likewise an object worth reflecting provided the Leather is properly dressed. Cotton I hear is likewise to be got with you, in case the same is in any way like with that which comes from Smirna, it will do very well.

The quality of your Treacle or Molasses being unknown here, I would advise to have but a few Casks sent for tryal, like I would recommend to be rather limitted by sending Cotton, Indigo Coffe and Sugar, till these articles are first try'd and experience acquired for the future, a matter of about one thousand hundred weights English of good Rice in small Barrills would likewise do at a time. I inclose for your further speculation a List of our last Years Imports that was published but of late and at the fall shall give you my opinion, which articles may be the most promissing for next Season.

Recommanding myself to the continuance of your favours and friendship I remain most respectfully, Gentlemen, Your most obedient humble Servant,

ANTO. FR. THIRINGK

The opportunity by which this was intended to you having been detaind untill the 1st August, I find needful to add, that

the price of clean hemp has started up to Ro. 263 and is now held at Ro. 27. The taking of Trinconomale by the French affords great Speculations and many are of opinion that a war amongst the maritime powers is avoidable. I'll have the pleasure of writing you further at the fall.

WILLIAM WILLCOCKS TO CHRISTOPHER CHAMPLIN AND SAMUEL FOWLER AND SON

Gentlemen,

Cork, 1st August, 1788.

ANNEXED is Copy of what I had the pleasure of writing to you the 5th of April, the 18th of the same Month arrived the Hannibal which brought me a letter with bill of Lading for 100 Hhds. of Flaxseed shipt for your Account by Messrs. Hewes and Anthony, a few of which were damaged by Salt Water, but not much. Previous to the Ships arrival, I had collected information from Dublin and several parts of the North, where I fou'd there was as great a glut of Flaxseed if not greater than here, which determined me in landing yours, to avoid a greater loss and additional expence. I since engaged them at 40/ per hhd. and six months Credit. the price fell so rapidly that he drew away only a few, and seeks an abatement on the remainder, which I will not give him. Agreeable to order, as soon as I am in Cash I will remit the Net Proceeds to Messrs. Lane Son and Frazer, and Mr. Alexander Champion Junior, of London.

Pot Ashes have been a good article. I lately run off a parcel all at 37/ per Ct. Pearl Ashes are not much used in these parts. The Polly from Hudson, in the North River, arrived here about a fortnight ago with 127 barrels Pot Ashes and 60 M very good barrel Staves. the Pot Ashes sold at 33/ per Ct. and the Staves at £6.10. per M. a few days before arrived to me the Ship Donnegal from Baltimore with 150 M Hhd. and barrel Staves, and 429 barrels Tar. the Staves I have mostly sold at £6.12 to £6.16.6 the barrel, and £1 per M the Hhd. but am only offered 11/4 per

barrel for the Tar.

16/. per 100 feet.

Oak plank and boards are worth about
I respectfully am, Gentlemen,

Hour most hum

Gentlemen,

Copenhagen, August 8th, 1788.

I THIS day arrived here after a passage of 13 days from St. Petersburg having procured the goods you order'd the Sail Cloth at 29/ Stlg. per piece the Hemp £22.15 Stlg. per ton, the Iron at £12.15 per ton all good in quality. have had a consultation with Mr. Saabye upon the article of Tea and shall determine in the morning whether I give the same price that Handy and Lawton give or not, if shou'd shall be soon after them if not you must not look for me 'till the last of November as the Sales are the 10th September. upon the whole I shall be governed by the judgement of Mr. Ryberg who I am sure is my friend. I am, Gentlemen, your obedient Servant, BEN PEIRCE

EDWARD FORBES TO CHRISTOPHER CHAMPLIN AND
SAMUEL FOWLER AND SONS

Gentlemen,

Dublin, 12th August, 1788.

HAVING none of your esteem'd favors unanswered, the present is to hand you Sales of the Flaxseed received per

the Hope Captain Wall. Neat proceeds when in Cash £1895.10.5 the one half whereof is carried to the Credit of your respective Accounts Current without my prejudice in case any of the outstanding debts proove bad; at same time lament truely this Adventure has not turn'd out more profitable to you, tho' think myself very fortunate that I got it all sold so soon as I did, the price having fallen the latter end of the Season down to 32/6, and a deal is left on hand both here and in all the out ports particularly at Derry and Newry; The Oil Mills in this Vicinity has bought up a good deal from 30/ and 32/ and now give £34/ 13d per Hhd for it. upon the whole flater myself yours will turn out as well as your Neighbours and the Quantity I sold was much more then any other House here. Our Harvest promises a most abundant Crop of all kinds of Corn, of Flaxseed do not apprehend any will be saved; its impossible to form any Idea how this Article will rule next Season, the price always is govern'd by the Quantity that comes to Market, so that if there is an abundant Crop with you, you should buy it in proportion Cheap, and you may calculate the Consumption of this Kingdom to be 36,000 Hhds tho' believe from the Great Parliamentary Bounty given for sowing this Article, that nearer 40,000 Hhds were sown, and its expected the same Encouragement will be continued the ensueing Spring.

There is a bad Debt made on the Sales of your Seed last year. I have had the Man William Edgar in Geoal these 10 Months, I've now some prospect of geting his Father in Law to join in Security to pay half the debt in one, two and three years, all that prevents its being compleated is waiting to hear from a friend in the Country if he is a Solvent Man. I dont know what effect the War between Sweden and Rusia may have on the Politicks of the other European Powers, but if matters are not accommodated during the Winter I fear others will be brought into the Quarrell.

In the letter which I had the pleasure to write you the 4th of March I requested you to ship me Pot ashes of first quality for the proceeds of the Spermacitie Candles etc.

which you'l be so good as to attend to. I am most respectfully, Gentlemen, Your obedient Servant,

EDWARD FORBES

P. S. If the Northern Powers continue the War next Summer Your Naval Stores will be wanted; I think Pitch and Tar must answer if bought cheap. Pot ashes 34/ White Pearl ashes 33/ to 34/ per Ct. both of first Quality.

Sir,

JOSEPH LAWRENCE TO CHRISTOPHER CHAMPLIN

Providence, August 19th, 1788.

I HAVE been apply'd to by one of the Committee for Building a Meeting house in Franklin (State of Massachusetts)1 for 10 Boxes of 8 by 10 Window Glass, and Painters Colours sufficient to paint the same for which he offers to pay in good merchantable Flaxseed at the going price when he receives the Glass which he wants in September. if you have the Glass and Painters Colors and the pay will suit please to let me know by the boat. the price of Seed is not broke here a small Quantity has been brought in and sold at 3/6 and the last at 3/. I am Sir yours,

JOSEPH LAWRENCE

BENJAMIN PEIRCE TO CHRISTOPHER AND

GEORGE CHAMPLIN

Copenhagen, August, 20th, 1788.

Gentlemen,

I SAIL this day in company with Capt. Page. I have on board 40 tons clean hemp 300 pieces Sail Cloth, 45 do. Ravens duck 58 Chests Bohea, 2 Boxes Green Tea and 81 tons of Iron as cargo which fills the Elizabeth full. there is a ballance of 16 Chests of tea due which will be shipp'd in the Ship Hope Capt. Jacob Westcot for providence. She will sail in all September. I am, Gentlemen, Your Obedient Servant BEN PEIRCE

1 See Blake, History of Franklin, 54.