Moses Robertson letter to John Norton, 1771 October 19

Moses Robertson letter to John Norton, 1771 October 19

Moses Robertson letter to John Norton, merchant of London, England. Robertson, a captain of Norton's ship the Virginia, writes concerning the vessel, its' crew and the difficulties he has had in taking on tobacco.

MS1936.3.544
Folder 49

John Norton and Sons Papers, MS 1936.3

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

Page 1

York - October. 19^th 1771

D^r. Sir,

By Cap^t. Hudson with whom I hope
to go out the Capes. Inform you that the Virginia
is now at York, in my last I was in hopes to
have Saild Long before this, but since that
my Ships Company has been so Sickly that has
detain.^d me so much longer than I coud any
ways have Expected. I have lost my chief mate
and one of the Seaman by a Billious Fever
and the rest of my Ships Company are all Sick
two of which are so Ill that I have been Obliged
To discharge them, I have Six Men by the run
Home Including the Chief Mate at 10 Guineas
& 5 Gallons of Rum which are the only well
People (Except my Self) that belong to the Ship
Though am in hopes that when we get to sea
the rest will recover. I am Sorry to Inform you
that by the Death of my mate, the Prodigious
Hurry with which we were Obliged to take Tob^o.
in, and a large part of our Cargo being very
Large Tob^o. that the ship has not more on board
then 563 Hhds. we have left out Near 300 hhds
which your son as yet Can get no fr^t. for, there
being a disorder at Norfolk that prevents a
Communication with that place. I have not
drawn on you for Any of the Ships disbursments
and beleive shall have no Occation, I am this Moment

Page 2

Preparing to Move the Ship this Even.^g pray Sir
if I should not arrive Soon After Cap^t. Hudson,
do not fail to have me Insured 300 Pounds
Sterling, to be recover.^d. Clear of all deductions
in Case of An Accident, on My Lumber Wages
Apparrell & Priveledges with some of the Cabbin
Furniture. The Ship is very tight having not
had Occation to pump her since she has been
in Virginia, and Loads very buoyant, I coud not
Wish a Loaded Ship in a better situation to Cross
the Ocean Excepting a Little more W^t in her
bottom, Which we have been much at a Loss
to get, as there has been no Iron to be had, we have
been Much detained thereby, as we were being Obliged
to pick up what Stones we have in a Long
Shore wherever they coud be found, and that
has been a Great reason that the Ship coud not
take in as much Tob^o.as Expected as Stones is not
such good Dunage as Iron, I am in hopes to be
with you as soon as this & am Sir your Obdt Srv^t.
Moses Robertson

Address leaf

To
M^r John Norton & son
Merch^ts. in
London
P Cap^t. Hudson

Virginia 19 October 1771
Moses Robertson
Rec^d: 2^nd December