Peter Lyons letter to John Norton, 1770 July 30

Title

Peter Lyons letter to John Norton, 1770 July 30

Date

Description

Peter Lyons letter to London merchant John Norton. Lyons thanks Norton for selling his tobacco but complains about the pot sent to him which was incomplete and of the wrong material for distilling. Lyons writes that Mr. Thomas intends to sell his estate, pay his debts and return to England. Lyons notes that he has shipped an additional two hogsheads of tobacco and has inclosed an invoice of goods to be sent in accordance with the prices as agreed upon by the Association.

Identifier

MS1936.3.339
Folder 31

Source

John Norton and Sons Papers, MS 1936.3

Publisher

Special Collections, John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

Original Format

Ink on paper

Text

Page 1

Hanover Virginia July 30th.
1770

Sir

I received your several favours by your Captains
Robinson & Goosley and am well satisfied with the
Sales you rendered for the two Hhds consigned you last
Year. I am obliged to you for sending the Iron pot, but
surely your Tradesmen think We are compleat Mechanicks,
and that We can finish their work even without materials.
Watts has sent a pott on which he sais the Limbeck is to
be fixed and luted down close, whether it will fit it or not,
he might have easily fitted the Limbeck with a proper pot
before he sent it, but it is not so convenient for me to do it
here, besides he should know that what is stilled in an Iron
pot will be black, so he should have provided a Bell metal
one at first and not send things by halves to a foreign
Country; but if they can get rid of their old Goods, they care
not what inconvenience they put the purchaser to. I am
surprized you have not heard of the Copper still, it was certainly
sent Home by old Hubbard, and it cost too much to lose.

Your unfortunate Acquaintance Mr. Thomas arrived
here with Goosley and found his Affairs in a desparate
situation, and an accident in his Family blasted his prospect
of domestick happiness, so that he is truly an object of pity.
By his arrival my power is suspended, so that I can not
serve you in the manner you mention, and you must
therefore apply to and depend on him for paimnt. of your Balce,
I understand he intends to sell his Estate, collect his Debts &
return to England.

I have by the Brilliant
consigned to you two Hhds of Tobacco and now inclose you an
Invoice of Goods to be sent me in return which I beg may be
of the best sort according to the prices limited.

We have entered into a new Association more favourable to
Trade

Page 2

Trade than I expected, but if the Merchts. & Tradesmen in
England, do not unite in petitioning the Parliament, and in
using their interest & best endeavours to obtain a repeal of the
Laws so disagreable and oppresive to America, I hope they will
not have orders for one single shillings worth of Goods next Year.

Mrs. Lyons and Miss Power join in best respects to
Mrs Norton & all your good Family and I remain with
sincere regard

Dear Sir
Your very Hble Servt. Petr. Lyons

Address leaf

To
Mr. John Norton
Mercht. in
London
p Captn. Robinson

Virg 30 July 1770
Petr. Lyons
Rec. 24 Sepr. p Brilliant
Exd.
Goods
Entd. pa. 276

Enquire if a Copper
Still came home
in The Thomas
Late Hubbard

Ansd the 1st. Decr
p Nelly Frigate
wrote again p Goosley

Citation

Lyons, Peter, 1734 or 1735-1809, “Peter Lyons letter to John Norton, 1770 July 30,” John Norton & Sons Papers, John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library, accessed March 28, 2024, https://rocklibnorton.omeka.net/items/show/339.