Sir,

ROBERT NORTHAM TO CHRISTOPHER CHAMPLIN

Baltimore, August the 10, 1794.

4

I AM Sorry to inform you that we have remained here so long without one applycation not one person has offered to purchace and but that one that I mentioned in my last has ever offered to freight and he has never made a second applycation. at this time buisness is very dul and a great number of Shiping hear for freight charter or sail of different sizes but none of them is taken up except for Europe and a lo freight is given there from 2 to 2 of a dollar to Spain and Portugal. I wish I could write more to your satisfaction but I think it my duty to inform you of the situation that we are now in as near as I possibly can and if no offer is made soon, Mr. Sears proposes to get a freight if possible as laying hear idle would soon comsume all the freight that a Vessel of this size woul[d] make. you was much decieved by the information that you had, and you are not the only one that was missinformed by Mr. Easterbrooks. Capt. Childes in a brig from Warren came hear with the same view that we did mearly from the information that he had from the same man but hartyly repents his comeing as he is much disapointed. indeed there is vessels from all quarters flocking in, but it is expected that in the cours of a few days that buisness will be more brisk as flour is falling and in consequence of that people will be incouraged to ship it off. there does not appear to be any established price for freights to the West Indies at present. for the last week not one vessel has been taken up for that Voyage but it is expected from the number of vessels hear that freights will be very lo. I have done nothing as yet with the Goods I brought out but engaged part of the wood at 32 dollars a cord. he is to take it the begining of the week. Mr. Sears will write you by this post and may give perhaps more intillegence what you may expect as he being better acquainted with the Buisness of the place than I am. if any thing further should present I shall write you which I am

dayly in hopes of. Untill then you will please to accept this from

B. Rimair Your & Humb Rott Northam

N. B. it has been very sickly hear for some time past more or less dieing every day with the same feavour that raged in Philadelphia the last season but a northerly wind has prevail'd for 2 or 3 days past, which has in some measure cooled the Aure and made great alteration in the climate as it has been excesive warm hear but we are all well on board but anxious to be in some buisness that might turn to your advantage. Yours,

CHARTER Party

R. N.

ARTICLES of agreement enter'd in to this Second day of Feb'y 1795, between Chris: Champlin and Geo: Champlin, Merchants on the one part and Thomas Dennis, Marriner, on the other part, witnesseth-that it is agreed by and between the said partis that said Chris and Geo: Champlin hire or charter of the said Thos. Dennis the half part of a Certain Sloop called the good Intent, to be employed on a Voyage to the West Indias, said Dennis is to properly equip said Sloop for the Voyage fit for the Seas, at his expence, said Chris and Geo: Champlin are to bear their propotion of maning and victualing said Sloop during her voyage, and allso to pay said Dennis at the rate of Seven Shillings and Sixpence a Ton a Month for the hire of the half of the said Sloop, and it is agreed by the parties that the hire or charter shall commence Nine days before the sailing of said Sloop from Newport and it is allso agreed that if the Sloop shou'd be lost on the Voyage, that in that case Chris: and Geo: Champlin is to pay unto the said Thomas Dennis One thou

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sand dollars in full compensation for the one half of the said Sloop and the hire of her, and furthermore it is agreed between the parties that if the Sloop shou'd be more than four months in performing the voyage, then in that case said Chris and Geo: Champlin shall have it in their option, to become Owners of the half part of said Sloop and her appurtenences from the time of her sailing from Newport, they paying said Dennis One thousand dollars, for the half of said Sloop, or other way continue the Charter as above stipulated. In witness of the above agreement we have each of us set our hands the day and date above.

SHOU'D the amount contained in the above memo. not be sufficient to pay your Port Charges at Charleston you can make use of the nett proceeds of Mr. Lyons Plank give him an order on me at 30 Days for the amount.

If from any unforseen delay more money should be required, you must draw on me at 30 Days in favour of Roger Barker and Lord or any one who may want a draft.

The hour you have agreed for your Freight

Write me by Post and different conveyances, informing me the Terms of Freight, by almeans to what port the Freight must be delivered,

That I may kno' in what manner to make Insurance.

Also, write me, the Day of the Month hour and minute you last git under weigh to go over the bar. Send it to Barker and Lord to forward it.

I hope your Freighters will permit you to go Northabout. if so mention it in your letters from Charleston.

If you proceed to Europe a Mediterranean Pass must be procured from the Custom House without fail.

Also, procure the Presidents Sea letter or General Pass which gives a General Description of the Cargo.

The Shippers no doubt will obtain Certificates from the different Consuls to prove the Cargo to be American Property.

Let Copies of your bills of Loading be annexed to your Certificates to prove the property, sign them and allways keep one, to secure your Freight.

Shoud our Commissioners be dismissed by the French Government and in consequence a War between France and the U. States appears unavoidable, I think it adviseable to return to Newport, unless a Freight can be obtained to New York worth accepting then take that rout home.

If you shoud meet an offer to sell half, two thirds or even all the ship do it, if the pay is good, and undoubted security can be given for the money not paid.

She cost me, put to Sea 15: thousand Dollars. I woud take 14 thousand Dollars, great has been the expence of

equipments.

In all cases consult Mr. N. Russell. Perhaps a great prospect may appear to some money'd men to load with Tobacco and Rice, and proceed finally up the baltic and return to Charleston in which case they may buy the Ship, or freight her out and home.

Circumstances must direct.

CHRIS CHAMPLIN

SAILING ORDERS

Newport, Rhode Island, January 17th, 1798.

You being Master of my Ship Hope are to observe the following Instructions, viz.

With the first favourable wind proceed to Charleston, South Carolina. upon your arrival advertise for Freight, to Hambourg, Amsterdam or Rotterdam, and consult with the Gentlemen to whom I have wrote, upon the best method of obtaining one, to Hamburg I shou'd wish it. a mixed Freight is most profitable.