Peter Lyons letter to John Norton, 1768 September 24

Peter Lyons letter to John Norton, 1768 September 24

Peter Lyons letter to John Norton, merchant of London, England. Lyons writes concerning the defective still her returned and the tobacco he sent. Lyons wants Norton to delay selling the tobacco he sent as the weather has been harmful to the Virginia tobacco and corn crops and he expects little to be produced. Lyons also complains of the quality of goods supplied by Norton's tradesmen and notes that others in Virginia share his complaint. In addition, Lyons informs Norton that good tobacco can fetch a better price in Virginia than London which makes him loath to ship it. Two invoices of goods were sent with the letter for Norton to fill. The first invoice was for a Miss Powers and the other invoice was for Lyons himself.

MS 1936.3.152
Folder 14

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

Ink on paper

Page 1

Hanover Virginia
Sep^r. 24^th 1768

M^r. John Norton

Dear Sir

I wrote you the first of this month by
Captⁿ. Esten, advising you that I had returned the
still you sent me, as it leaked, and was so badly
tinned, that it did not answer my purpose; and
desiring you would send me a Pewter one proper for
distilling Rose and other simple Waters, and as I could
not then tell what quantity of Tobacco had been shipt
you on my account, could not direct what Goods should
be sent me in return. I have since received Bills of
Lading for two Hhds consigned you by Esten, and for
one by Robinson, which I hope will will get safe and in
good order to Market, and will bring a good price, as they
are fine upland Tobaccoes. I would advise you not to be
in a hurry to part with any of the Tobacco consigned you,
for the prospect of a Crop this Year is as bad, or rather
worse, then it has been for some Years past, and I am
certain there will be but little if any ripe sound Tobacco
made, for the great Rains fired all the forward Tobacco
in such a manner, that the planters were obliged to cut
it

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It before it was near ripe, and a six Weeks drought, with now &
then a frost, has ruined the latter Tobacco & Corn.

I observe you complain of the badness of my last Tobacco,
and I acknowledge it was but indifferent, but I must tell
you, that the prices for good Tobacco in England, do not
answer the high prices that are given for it here, and that I
have always lost more by shipping good Tobacco, than by the
bad, which has discouraged me from buying fine Tobacco,
& from shipping any, unless to oblige my Friends. You
may think ten pounds sterling a Hhd a fine price, as it
sounds large, but what is it for Tobacco that costs twelve pounds
sterling here, which is the price of every heavy Hhd of Hanover
Tobacco.

Inclosed you have an Invoice of Goods for Miss
Power to be sent under her own mark, in a separate package
from mine, and you have also an Invoice of some things for
myself. I must as a Friend request that you will
either change your Tradesmen or insist on their furnishing
you with better Goods than they have lately sent your
Correspondents in Virginia, who all complain of them.
I shall be glad to know how my Account Cur^t. stands with

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you, therefore be pleased to send a copy of it in the spring.
The grave ones here, are surprized how you bear with
the insolence of Wilkes & the liberty taken by his Friends.
and that you should suffer a wicked abandoned Bankrupt, to
disturb the peace of the Nation.

I hope M^rs. Norton & your Family are well, &
wishing you all happiness remain with esteem

Dear Sir
Your most obed^t. Serv^t.
Pet^r. Lyons

The 2 Hhd of Tob^o. shipt you in 1766 cost here       £ 10.   0.   0
Inspection                                                                           10.10.   0
sold for                               £10.19.1 stg
Exch^a 25 pc                           2.14.   9 ¼
                                                                                              13.13.10
Lost besides Insurance                                                 £ 4.16.   2

Have received no Sales for last Tobacco yet.

Address leaf

To
M^r. John Norton
Merch^t. in
London

Virg^a. 24^th Sep^r. 1768
Peter Lyons
Rec'd ye 7^th Nov.

Goods ent^d. pa: 45

Ans^d ye March 1769
p Briliant