William Anderson letter to John Norton, 1773 November 28

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W^msBurg 28^th. November 1773

M^r John Norton

Dear Sir

I have rec^d. your favors of the 29^th May
& 14^th. August - your not shipping the Goods I ordered was no
disadvantage to me as I have sold my sore & declin'd trade here,
and intend as soon as I can collect the bulk of my Debts
ch hope to accomplish the ensuing spring to return to
London - you very justly observe in your last that the
prices given for Tob^o. in Virginia were enough to ruin
the purchaser and I have been one of those unfortunate
people, though I have no doubt of your endeavours to
do the best you could for me - and am extremely
Concerned that I could not make you a better remittance
which has been entirely owing to the great Fall in
the price of our staple Comodity. and the general distress
of the people in this Colony - I expect that M^r. Gist
will pay you some money for me. the exact sum I do
not know but probably about £130 ~ the balance of your
Acc^t. (which by Occasion of the low price my Tobacco
fetched) is much more than I expected; shall be
remitted to you as speedily as possible. it will not be
in my powere to do much 'till next spring. but at
that time I can with Truth assure you I have a good
Prospect of remitting the greatest part or perhaps the whole
of what I owe you - I will endeavour to prevail on Col^o.
Rich^d. Anderson to remit you the balance of the Bill -
in the mean time think it would be proper for you to
send a state of his Acc^t. to M^r. J.H. Norton - M^rs. Anderson
Joins me in the m^o. Repectful Comply^ts. to M^rs. Norton & the family
I am w^th. the greatest regard D^r Sir. your very Obt Serv^t Will Anderson

PS It will be necessary for you to send me a Copy of the late M^r. John
Smiths Acc^t. w^th. an Affidavit annexed. as the balance does not appear
by his Books. -

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To
Mess^rs. John Norton & Son
Merchants
London

Virg^a. 28^th Nov 1773
William Anderson
Rec^d y^e 1 Feby/74
Desires to have J. Smith's
Acc^o. Curr^t. sworn to
& sent him Ex^d.
Ans^d. the March
p Robertson