Moses Robertson letter to John Norton, 1772 July 21

Moses Robertson letter to John Norton, 1772 July 21

Moses Robertson, ship's captain, letter to John Norton, merchant of London, England. Robertson writes concerning the loading of his vessel which carries a cargo of pig iron in addition to the tobacco. He also writes concerning William Goosley's betrayal of Norton; his own desire to captain the new vessel and John Hatley Norton's health.

MS1936.3.738
Folder 66

John Norton and Sons Papers, MS 1936.3

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

Ink on paper

Page 1

York July 21. 1772 -

Dear Sir,

I wrote you by Cap^t. Fox of the
Matty from Hampton Road & then
Promised in my Next to write more on business
Our Goods have all been long since deliver^d.
and turn^d out in very good Order, the Ship
is up at Ruffins Ferry & by this time
has about 100 Hhds on Board & we have
Craft out for Another Hundred I am in
hopes by the time Next Courts come about
I shall be able to give you A More Certain
Aco^t. what prospect we have of being Load^d.
on Consignm^ts. tho as people yet that have
Tob^o. seem backward in Ship^g. being deter^d.
by the last Acc^ts. of Sales, though its generally
Allow^d. there is a great deal of Tob^o. in the
Country & Most of the Large Ships Loaded
Capⁿ. Goosly will be down at York in a
Day or Two with the Unity. The Mate of
her told me he Expect^d. to Stow about 750
Hhds, which Large Ship has drain^d. the Tob^o.
from Most of your Near Correspondence
I very luckily have 35 Tons of Pig Iron from
Col^o. John Tayloe to your Address which
I am in hopes will Enable the Virginia to
Stow More Tob^o. this is a Chance Not a Ship from

Page 2

London has Met with beside Our Selves in this
River, your Son has gone up to the springs for
his health & proposes not return. till October
I doubt not but some of your Freinds have [crossed out, illegible]
Inform^d you of the ungratefull behaviour of
M^r. W^m Goosly who has not Sattisfy^d. himself
by speak.^g many disrespectfull things of you
but Carrys his Malice so far as to Make Interest
Against your House in favour of Mess^rs.
Perkins Brown & C^o. his reasons for which I am
Told was your Sons desire^g. Security for the Goods
Ship^t. him in the Unity, he Appears here truely
Rediculous, & I believe Except Among A few of
his Own Relations his Interest is but Small
Cap^t. George Goosly (whom I look upon Quite a diff^t
Person. From M^r. W^m.) has been Advised to Quit
the London trade After this Voyage & has
Made your Son Acquaint^d. with his Intentions
who I make no doubt will Inform you of the
Same, he Inform^d. me that he had Engag^d.
Capⁿ. Howard Esten to Succeed Goosly, if it was
Agreeable to you of which I make not the least
doubt. as this is the case permit me Sir to
Petition you for the Command of the New Ship
My reason for which proceeds from Nothing More
than the great Opinion I have & Always had of a river
Built Ship & I dare say that if Esten should be

Page 3

your Choice, he woud like the Virginia, as well
though Neither of us has the least right to
dictate to you what Ship you shall please
to place us in both of them. I dare say will be as fine
Ships as can or has be.ⁿ builtI am Emboldened to this
Request for the preference of Ships by being the
first in your Employ, but Shoud you have any
Reasons, with your Self not to grant it, believe
Me Sir that I have all the reason in the World
to rest perfectly Sattisfy^d with your determination
& Shall always retain the Most gratefull
Sense of the preference already rec.^d -
Expect.^g that may part of the Virginia is Insured both
out & home must beg the Favor of you to have me
Farther Insured 250 Pounds Sterling On my
Wages priviledges & Apparell on board Said
Ship, & shoud I be out of time please to Add 50 Pounds
more as you shall think proper. After Cap^t.
Goosly has sail^d I shall omit No Opportunity
to Inform you of our Proceedings I Remain

D^r. Sir Your Most Obd^t Serv^t.
Moses Robertson

Address leaf

To
Mess^rs. John Norton & Son
Merchants in
London

P the Fathers desire
Cap^t. Moorsom

Virg^a 21^st July 1772
Moses Robertson
Rec^d 3^d. Sep^r. Ex'd