Moses Robertson letter to John Norton, 1772 July 21
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Folder 66
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York July 21. 1772 -
Dear Sir,
I wrote you by Capt. Fox of the
Matty from Hampton Road & then
Promised in my Next to write more on business
Our Goods have all been long since deliverd.
and turnd out in very good Order, the Ship
is up at Ruffins Ferry & by this time
has about 100 Hhds on Board & we have
Craft out for Another Hundred I am in
hopes by the time Next Courts come about
I shall be able to give you A More Certain
Acot. what prospect we have of being Loadd.
on Consignmts. tho as people yet that have
Tobo. seem backward in Shipg. being deterd.
by the last Accts. of Sales, though its generally
Allowd. there is a great deal of Tobo. in the
Country & Most of the Large Ships Loaded
Capn. Goosly will be down at York in a
Day or Two with the Unity. The Mate of
her told me he Expectd. to Stow about 750
Hhds, which Large Ship has draind. the Tobo.
from Most of your Near Correspondence
I very luckily have 35 Tons of Pig Iron from
Colo. John Tayloe to your Address which
I am in hopes will Enable the Virginia to
Stow More Tobo. this is a Chance Not a Ship from
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London has Met with beside Our Selves in this
River, your Son has gone up to the springs for
his health & proposes not return. till October
I doubt not but some of your Freinds have [crossed out, illegible]
Informd you of the ungratefull behaviour of
Mr. Wm Goosly who has not Sattisfyd. himself
by speak.g many disrespectfull things of you
but Carrys his Malice so far as to Make Interest
Against your House in favour of Messrs.
Perkins Brown & Co. his reasons for which I am
Told was your Sons desireg. Security for the Goods
Shipt. him in the Unity, he Appears here truely
Rediculous, & I believe Except Among A few of
his Own Relations his Interest is but Small
Capt. George Goosly (whom I look upon Quite a difft
Person. From Mr. Wm.) has been Advised to Quit
the London trade After this Voyage & has
Made your Son Acquaintd. with his Intentions
who I make no doubt will Inform you of the
Same, he Informd. me that he had Engagd.
Capn. Howard Esten to Succeed Goosly, if it was
Agreeable to you of which I make not the least
doubt. as this is the case permit me Sir to
Petition you for the Command of the New Ship
My reason for which proceeds from Nothing More
than the great Opinion I have & Always had of a river
Built Ship & I dare say that if Esten should be
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your Choice, he woud like the Virginia, as well
though Neither of us has the least right to
dictate to you what Ship you shall please
to place us in both of them. I dare say will be as fine
Ships as can or has be.n builtI am Emboldened to this
Request for the preference of Ships by being the
first in your Employ, but Shoud you have any
Reasons, with your Self not to grant it, believe
Me Sir that I have all the reason in the World
to rest perfectly Sattisfyd with your determination
& Shall always retain the Most gratefull
Sense of the preference already rec.d -
Expect.g that may part of the Virginia is Insured both
out & home must beg the Favor of you to have me
Farther Insured 250 Pounds Sterling On my
Wages priviledges & Apparell on board Said
Ship, & shoud I be out of time please to Add 50 Pounds
more as you shall think proper. After Capt.
Goosly has saild I shall omit No Opportunity
to Inform you of our Proceedings I Remain
Dr. Sir Your Most Obdt Servt.
Moses Robertson
Address leaf
To
Messrs. John Norton & Son
Merchants in
London
P the Fathers desire
Capt. Moorsom
Virga 21st July 1772
Moses Robertson
Recd 3d. Sepr. Ex'd