Samuel and John Smith letter to John Hatley Norton, 1785 November 22

Samuel and John Smith letter to John Hatley Norton, 1785 November 22

Samuel and John Smith, Baltimore, Maryland, letter to John Hatley Norton, Winchester, Virginia, dated November 22, 1785. The Smiths write concerning the falling price of tobacco noting that Mr. Morris has concluded a deal with the French which will keep the price low. They also write about the value of sarsaparilla, deer skins and black and seneca root.

MS1936.3.1712
Folder 166

Smith, John

Ink on paper

[Page 1]

Balt^e. 22^d. Novr 1785

Sir./

We are favor'd with yours without date
to Bearer. Tobacco continues to fall daily at
present there is no price higher here than 30/-
M. C.^y p10^t. & much is Bo^t at 27/6 - By Last
Acco^t. from England there was no Sale at any
price, which together with a Contract made by
M^r. Morris to furnish the french Demand at
36 Liv^s. p quintal - It is generally Imagin'd that
Tobacco will still lower ^{the price} Should you Choose to
send any to our Address we will sell it to the
best Advantage but cannot charge Less than
5p^ct comm. - where we supply goods we charge
no comm. on country produce - Any Ginseng
of good quality arriving before this 10^th Dec^r. will
bring 2/2 to 2/3 Cash. After that time It will not sell -
All the sarsaprilla of America is precious
Black & Seneca root are [illegible] articles. - Indian
kill'd Deer Skins will bring 22^d. to 2/ for grey
& 2/4 to 2/6 for Red skins, but It requires good
Judgm^t. of the Articles - No small skins should
be taken for there is a duty of 8^d. St.^g. p skin in
England - We refer you to our Last by M^r. Buch=
anan & are Sir

your Obed^t. Serv^ts
Sam & John Smith

[Pages 2 and 3, blank]

[Page 4]

M^r. John H. Norton
Merch^t.
Winchester

Baltimore 22^d Nov^r
1785.
John & Sam^l. Smith
answ^d