James Balfour letter to John Norton, 1769 November 5

James Balfour letter to John Norton, 1769 November 5

James Balfour, merchant of Norfolk, Virginia, letter to John Norton, merchant of London. Balfour writes to thank Norton for the kindnesses extended by him and his wife and of his hope that colonial pressure, in the form of the non-importation association, will lead to the repeal of the Townshend Acts. He also writes about the exchange rate, an inoculation and John Hatley Norton.

MS 1936.3.265
Folder 24

John Norton and Sons Papers, MS 1936.3

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

Ink on paper

Page 1

Dear Sir

Your most friendly kindness ever shewn me and
mine commands my willing and greatfull wishes for
you & yours and heartily & sincerly do I wish you
every blessing this world can give you - in the
next eternal blessing awaits you & the best woman
I ever heard of - here for a moment I am Stop'd
before I have power to thank you & M^r. Norton for your
inestimable Affectionate Civility shewn Dear Polly
& for your obliging note on the back of a Letter to M^rs.
Wray that gave me the last Account I have heard
from or off her and having heard of some unexpected
disappointments she met with at her first arival &
knowing her lone weak state & anxiety of mind that she
must be in until Chalotte was inoculated - None
but y^e good heared can tel how much I feel at this Instant
for good M^rs. Nortons friendship towards her at so
critical a time the impression is too strong ever to b
erradicated - excuse me Worthy Sir for this tribute.
To

Page 2

I just stepd down from the City to write my friends &
return tomorrow to the Assembly that meets the 8^th
we hope that it will end agreeably and that the ob
-noxtious Acts will be repeald, we depend much on the
Influence of the Merchants in Obtaining a repeal of
the most pernicious Acts that could have been made
for G Britain & her Colonys.

Exchange dropd to 20 p Ct this Court & my opinion is
it will be soon at 15pc. the Scotch Factors did not get
1/3^d of the Money they wanted & as our Exch^a. none at 20
is the highest on the Continent what Money we have will
go immediately to the Norward it was Gentlemen from
thence appearing at Court that Occasiond Exch^a. to drop
they have carryd with them much Gold & Silver.

I left your Son last night in Williamsburg well-
you have some Tobacco pr Necks he will sail about
Christmas - our last Years exporation is 50,258 hhds
the present Crop cannot yet be Assertaind it will be Short

I beg you to allow me to be thankfull & to
beleive me Dear Sir
your much Obligd & Afectionate
James Balfour

York Town Novem^r. 5^th 1769

Page 3

John Norton Esq^r.
Merch^t.
In
London

p the Friendship
Cap^t Lilly

Page 4

Virg^a. Nov^r. 5^th 1769
James Balfour
Rec'd the 26^th Dec^r.
p Cap^t. Lilly