Peter Lyons letter to John Norton, 1769 September 8

Peter Lyons letter to John Norton, 1769 September 8

MS 1936.3.248
Folder 22

John Norton and Sons Papers, MS 1936.3

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

Ink on paper

Recto

Virginia Sept^r. 8^th. 1769

Dear Sir

I received your favour of the [8]^th. of
March with Invoices of Goods for myself & Miss [Power],
the Goods were delivered in good Order, and I wish I could
say they were better than have been usually sent me.
as I have a regard for you. I shale by next opportunity
give you my opinion of the Tradesmen you deal with,
and point out the particulars in which I think they
impose on you. our association has put a stop to the
importation of goods for the present, and the behaviour of
the Tradesmen will I fear, always prevent many of
their Goods coming from London. I am particularly
unfortunate with Stills, the Copper one that I expected
was returned to you I can not hear of, and the Pewter
one you last sent me, can not be used for want of a
bottom to put the [Herbs] or what ever is to be stilled into,
and a grate or pan to put fire in, surely the man that
packed it up was mad or drunk to send it without them
materials, or some directions how they were to be supplied.
I consigned you by Capt^n. Robinson two Hhds of good

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Hanover Tobacco which I hope will bring a fair price
especially as there will not be half a Crop made this
Year, M^r. Thomas's prognostick having this Day been
fulfilled by the greatest Gust of Rain Hail & Wind that ever
was known in this part of the Country at this Season,
the Trees in my Garden are blown up by the Roots, &
the Corn & [ ] all laid, and if it continues raining much
longer I don't know whether the Tobacco in the Warehouses
will escape, so that what he prophesied may perhaps
come litterally true, with only this difference, that it
happens in the Fall instead of the Spring. Pray
what is become of my Friend George, and what is he
after, his affairs here are neglected and I fear he will not
be benefitted much by staying in England. I was surprized
to be informed that a large quantity of Ginsang which
he directed to be shipt to you this summer should be
now lying at Rockey Ridge and I suppose if freight
can be now procured, it is too late for this season.
be so good as to advise him to return to his Family &
settle his affairs, he has been ill used by Griffith, but
his staying in England will not mend that matter.

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I am writing in a hurry to be in time for Esten who
sails immediately, and M^r. Smith goes down to clear
him out as soon as the present Hurricane will permit him
to travel, so you must excuse this scrawl & believe me to
be with real regard

D^r. Sir
Your most obed. Serv^t.
Pet^r. Lyons
P.S.
I have had Acct. of Sales from Bristol for transfer Tob^o.
twelve pounds ten shill^s. p Hhd

M^r. Norton

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Virginia Sept^r. 8^th. 1769
Peter Lyons
rec^d. Nov^r. 25^th. p Cap^t. Esten Jun^r.
Vide Complaint of a Still
ent^d. pa: 154

Ans^d the March 1770
p Brilliant