Edward Hack Moseley letter to John Norton, 1769 December 17

Edward Hack Moseley letter to John Norton, 1769 December 17

Edward Hack Moseley, Norfolk, Virginia, letter to John Norton, London, England, dated December 17, 1769. Moseley writes about his desire to secure the post of Collector or Naval Officer at the new Customs House being proposed for Norfolk. Moseley also writes that his son, Bassett Moseley, runs a dry goods store for which he wishes Norton to supply him with merchandise.

MS 1936.3.274
Folder 25

Ink on paper

[Page 1]

Virginia Norfolk. December 17 -1769

Dear Sir

It is sometime since I had the pleasure of hearing from
You, and take this Opportunity to ask the favour of your assistance
as I am satisfied from your known disposition that you are always
ready to serve any of your friends in Virginia, I have been an
Officer of the Customs as the Surveyor of Elizabeth River for better than
thirty years and by the records of the Court of Admiralty I have made
more Seizures then most all the Officers in the Colony and it is
immagined there will be a new Custom House erected at Norfolk
soon, a few days past W^m. Williams, Inspector General arrived
in Norfolk from Boston who is appointed to inspect into the
Offices of the Customs in the several Colonys and on his return
to the Commissioners at Bostons his report will be accordingly, by
what I can understand from him he is much surprised a place
of such Consequence in Trade should be without a Custom house
tho he is very Cautious what he sais (Since I made the three Seizures
which was last winter of two Brigs & a Sloop which I wrote to the
Commissioners relative thereto, I had in answer a very polite
Letter and highly approving of my Conduct, upon the return
of the inspector General if he thinks Norfolk ought to have a
Custom house Erected there) the Commissioners is to report it home
and I am credibly informed M^r. W^m. Bradley is waiting for that
purpose Expecting either to be appointed Collector or Navel Officer
now as I have been an Officer there so many years. I think in Justice
I ought to be prefared, and if you can make Intrest for me with
your friends to ingage one of those places Either Collector or
Navel Officer, I shall readily pay with pleasure the Expence you^l
be at in obtaining it and do Earnestly beg you will do all you
can which I shall ever acknowledge, I have wrote to M^r.
Dinwiddie and hope he will do all in his power and shall be
glad you will spake to him about it, also wrote to C. Stewart
but am doubtfull as he is fond of prefering his Countrymen. Tho
he promist me, I have not mentioned a word to Col^o. Hunter
for fear of his thinking of Balfour or Barraud, therefore the
Sooner if possible it can be ingaged for me the better, and if I am
so happy ^to obtain it, it will suit me to live in Norfolk it being
so near and Convenient to my Estate, and beg Dear Sir you will
be my friend and do all you Can, which you may depend I shall
do all in my power here to serve you, M^rs. Moseley joines me with
our best wishes to you and M^rs. Norton and am With great Esteem

D^r. Sir Your most Humble Sert
Edw: Hack Moseley

turn over

[Page 2]

I have forgot to mention to you one thing that is, my Son
Bassett Moseley who dos business for himself in the dry
good way and is well situated in the Town of Norfolk
desired me that I would mention him to you as he
wants a few goods to sort his Store to the Value of one
hundred & fifty or two hundred pound if you^l. please
to send them out to him he will remit you for them
in three or four months tho I believe he will send you
a bill much sooner by the next Ship. I am D^r Sir
With great Esteem your
most H: Serv^t
E: H Moseley

[Page 3, blank]

[Page 4]

BRISTOL
SHIP LRE

To
M^r. John Norton
Merchant in
London

Virg^a. 17^th Dec^r. 1769

Edw^d. Hack Moseley
Rec'd 26^th Janry 1770

Ans^d. the March 1770
p Brilliant