Moses Robertson letter to James Withers, 1779 December 21-25

Title

Moses Robertson letter to James Withers, 1779 December 21-25

Date

Description

Captain Moses Robertson letter to James Withers, merchant of London, England, dated December 21-25, 1779. Robertson writes that he was detained from sailing out of Plymouth because French privateers were operating nearby. After a convoy was assembled with Royal Navy protection, Robertson was able to depart Plymouth. While in Plymouth he drew two bills on Withers which he hopes will be honored.

Identifier

MS1936.3.1461
Folder 142

Original Format

Ink on paper

Text

[Page 1]

Plymouth 21. December
1779

Dear Sir,

In my last (which was upwards of
two Weeks since) I wrote you that we were
to sail the first Wind that was Favourable
as then no prospect of a Convoy appear'd
Next Morng. I had Advice of the Daphne
Frigate beind order'd up to the Downs
and to take the Tradeg. Ships under
Convoy I went on Board Immediately
and got orders from her and have since
that time been detain'd for an Opertunity
to Sail altho the Winds have been Most
always Fair had we been out yet the
Outlet here is so bad and the Wr. very
unsettled and the Winds Mostly blowg.
very hard from the SW Quarter that
we with many others bound up are here
yet with the Convoy My havg. Certain
Advice of many French Privateers being
directly in our Track up Channell Inducd:
me for to stay for Convoy I hope the Insurers
will Consider us as they are Principally
Concernd. it now Rains & the Wind at SSW
which is a bad wind out here I Remain Sir
Your Hble Servt. Moses Robertson -

Turn Over -

[Page 2]

since writg. the within (as I had not an
Opertunity to send it that Eveng. to the Post)
the Wind Came Favorable and we saild the
Eveng. of the Next day Viz. the 22d. with the Convoy
and arrived here the Next day, Just as the Wind
had spent it self, yesterday and this day
there has been very little wind & that Inclineable
to the Eastward Here are many ships Bound
to the Downs Under Convoy of the Cabbot
Brig of War and I have Just returnd
from Recivg orders from on board her
and we shall sail the first Fair Wind,
so that I hope (please God) I shall soon
have the Pleasure of seeg. you; I drew two
Bills on you at Plymo. on Acct. the Vessell
one in Favor of Jno. [illegible] for £16..s14 -
the other a small one to one of the Sailors
John Baston for £3..13. which pleas to pay
when due I am sir your Mo. Obdt
Servt. Moses Robertson

Portsmouth (Brig Fanny) at Spithead
December 25th - 1779

[Page 3, blank]

[Page 4]

Mr. James Withers
Mercht. No. 9 Copthall Ct
London

Moses Robertson
Decr 21st ~ 1779

Citation

Robertson, Moses, “Moses Robertson letter to James Withers, 1779 December 21-25,” John Norton & Sons Papers, John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library, accessed March 28, 2024, https://rocklibnorton.omeka.net/items/show/1461.