John Clayton letter to John Norton, 1771 March 18

Title

John Clayton letter to John Norton, 1771 March 18

Description

John Clayton letter to John Norton, merchant of London, England. Clayton writes to complain of his shipment of goods, which were sent to Ryland Randolph 80 miles up the James River. He also complains that he was sent plants when he requested seeds. Clayton also writes to order two books and a number of other goods which he listed in a separate invoice sent with this letter.

Identifier

MS1936.3.415
Folder 37

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

Glocester March 18 1771

Dear Sir

I wrote to you last year and
Sent an invoice inclosed by Capt. Lilley
& as it is reported here that all his Letters
& papers were lost with the Ship, I have here
inclosed a copy of that invoice that in case
the first Should be actually lost I may not
be disappointed in receiving the goods by
Some good Ship to York River before the
Autumn. please to observe there are two
articles of books vizt. Georgical essays & Milne's
Botanical Dictionary wch were not in the
first Invoice I desire they may be sent, if
that should have come safe to yr. hand.
I had thought sure of yr Letter of the 22d.
of Sept. last by Mr. Archer's Brig in January
last wish an invoice & bill of lading inclosed
for the box & the basket from Mr. Gordon, the
former I have got in good order, but the latter
is intirely lost, I have sent twice to Mr. Archer
at York, for it, but alll to no purpose, he says
he believes it was sent by mistake to Colo.
Ryland Randolph who lives up James
River near four score miles from me. it was
contrary to my directions that there were any
roots put in a basket, for I mentioned Seed,
not rooted plants. The Seed would have come
Safe in the box with the rest. at the foot of
the invoice Mr. Godron acquaints me, that if I
disapprove of his [illegible] Sending plants instead
of Seed, he will not insist upon being paid for
'em, provided I will Send him Some plant,
(menioned in his postscript) wch. grow wild here
which at the proper Season for their removal
I certainly will do. I hope to receive all the Seed

Page 2

which could not be procured in September
last by Capt. Esten, on the first Ship afterwards
and should be very glad of a little of the
Palmatoo Rhubarb seed, fresh & good, from Mr.
Gordon, by the first opportunity; if war is proclaimed I beg that you'l remember to
have my goods insured, and am with
great respect & esteem

Dear Sir
Your most humble
Servant
John Clayton

P.S.
Please to oder me
a Pipe of Wine
from Lamar &c. at
Madeira

Virg the 18th March 1771
John Clayton
Recd 20the May 1771.
P Capt. Mc.Cunn
Goods Entd. Pa. 349 Exd

Coppy except the two
last Articles of Books
wch are Added
Ansd. the 29. May
p Virginia

Citation

Clayton, John, 1694-1773, “John Clayton letter to John Norton, 1771 March 18,” John Norton & Sons Papers, John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library, accessed March 29, 2024, https://rocklibnorton.omeka.net/items/show/415.