Chapter 15

I am, &c., &c., WM. SETTLE.

East India H^o. Aug^t 10, 1773. Alex. Champion, Esq^r.

Sir:

In answer to your esteemed of the 5^th and 10^th current, am obliged by the favor intended, but at present have only one ship under my care bound to Boston, who will depart in a very few days, but she is not a constant trader. It is not, therefore, in my power to accept of the offer.

I am, sir, Your most hum. serv^t. ALEXANDER CHAMPION.

Bishopgate Street, Aug^t 10, 1773.

Mr. Wm. Settle.

Hon'ble Sir:

Being informed you have some teas to ship to America, I have now a vessel, British built, burthen about 160 tons, which should be glad to lett to your honors for the above purpose.

I am, with due regard, hon'ble sirs, Your most obed^t servt^t, THOS. WALTERS.

Carolina Coffee House, Birchen Lane, 17^th Aug^t 1773.

The Elizabeth, John Scott, for any part of America.

To the Hon'ble Directors of the East India Company.

* * * * *

Mr. Abraham Dupies, in Gracechurch Street, will become obligated for Richard Clarke & Sons, of Boston.

* * * * *

Gentlemen:

I have a vessel in this port, which will be ready to return to America in a few days, therefore take the opportunity to acquaint you that I am willing to take on board her 600 chests of tea, either for New York or Philadelphia, at the a customary freight given from hence to those places.

I am, gentl^n your most hum. servant, JOSEPH CABOT.

Threadneedle Street, 24 Aug^t 1773. To the Hon'ble Committee of Warehouses.

London, Aug^t 26, 1773.

Sir:

We pray you to inform the Com^tee of Warehouses for the Hon'ble the East India Company that we have a ship, _river built_, called the Nancy, commanded by Captain Colville, compleately fitted and ready to receive the tea for New York, which we beg leave to recommend to the Committee. We are, sir,

Your most obedient and humble servants, JOHN BLACKBURN. PIGOU & BOOTH. WM. KELLY & CO.

Mr. Wm. Settle.

Sir:

Please to acquaint the Hon'ble Committee of Warehouses, that we have taken up the Polly, Cap^t Ayres, for Philadelphia, to carry the Company's tea to that port, which vessel lays at Princes Stairs, Rotherhith, and was built at Ipswich, in the year 1765. She is now ready to take in.

We are, sirs, Your most h'ble serv^ts. PIGOU & BOOTH, For selves & GEORGE BROWNE, SAMUEL WHARTON & GILBERT BARKLEY.

Mark Lane, 31st Aug^t 1773. Mr. Wm. Settle.

* * * * *

Sir:

Your remarks to the bond offered you, relative to the 600 chests of tea, which are to be exported to New York, have been laid before the Committee of Warehouses, and they are of opinion that the said bond is according to the agreement made with the several gentlemen for the different Colonies, and the merchants who are concerned for the tea to Boston, have executed their bonds agreeable thereto, and Messrs. Wharton, Pigou & Barkley have agreed also to execute on Thursday morning. Therefore, I am to desire you to inform me whether you will please likewise to execute the said bond.

I am, sir, Your most h'ble serv^t WM. SETTLE.

East India House, 31^st Aug^t 1773.

To John Blackburn, Esq^r. William Kelly, Esq^r.

* * * * *

Sir:

As the several gentlemen mentioned in your polite note of this day have executed the bond, I shall with pleasure follow their example, and on Thursday next I propose waiting on you for that purpose. I am sir,

Your most h'ble serv^t JOHN BLACKBURN.

Scot's Yard, 31st Aug^t 1773. Mr. Wm. Settle.

* * * * *

Sir:

Last evening I had the pleasure to receive your favor of yesterday, relative to the bond which I am to sign for New York, and the objections made to its draught by Mr. Blackburn, Pigou and myself, which at the time appeared resonable to us, but as others have signed in the form shewn to me, I don't mean to be particular, and therefore shall conform, relying on the honor of the Com^tee in all future matters.

Tomorrow I am indispensably obliged to go out of town shall return on Saturday next, wait on you, & execute the bond. I am, sir,

Your most obedi^t & most hum. serv^t WM. KELLY.

Crescent, Sep. 1^st 1773. Mr. Wm. Settle.

* * * * *

_Freight of 568 whole, & 130 half chests of Tea, shipped on the Polly, Cap^t Sam^l Ayres, for Philadelphia:_

feet. 568 chests con^g for freight, 8748.6 130 quarter d^o. d^o 656.9 ------ 9405.3 ------

9405.3 at 1s. 6d. pr foot, Philadelphia currency, is £705 7 10-1/2

tons. Primage on 235-1/3 at 2s. sterl^g pr ton, is £23 10 3

_Freight of Tea on the London, to South Carolina:_

feet. 182 chests measure 2644.3 at 1s. pr foot £132 4 3 75 d^o. d^o. 345.9 d^o. 17 5 9 ---- -------- 257 149 10 0 Primage, 5 pr cent 7 10 0 -------- £157 0 0

_Freight of Tea shipped on the William, for Boston:_

feet. 58 chests measure 585.11, at 1s. 4d. pr foot, £39 1 3 L.M. Primage, 1 9 6 sterl^g.

_Freight of 698 chests Tea on the Nancy, for New York:_

feet. 698 chests measure 9264.8, at 2s. 3d. pr foot, is Currency, £1042 5 4 Sterling, £30 8 2 Primage, 5 pr ct. 52 2 3 -------- £1094 7 7 --------

_Freight of 114 chests Tea on the Eleanor, for Boston:_

feet. 114 chests measure 1383.4, at 1s. 4d. £92 4 5 L.M. Primage, £3 9 0

_Freight of 112 chests Tea on the Beaver, for Boston:_

feet. 112 chests measure 1375, at 1s. 4d., is £91 13 10 L.M. 34-1/2 tons at 2s. pr ton primage, £3 17 0

Whitehall, Dec^r 17^th 1773.

Lord Dartmouth presents his compliments to Mr. Wheler, and requests the favor to see him at his office, at Whitehall, on Monday morning next, at eleven o'clock, on the subject of some advices Lord Dartmouth has lately received from America, respecting the importation of tea from England.

* * * * *

LETTER TO SUNDRY AMERICAN MERCHANTS.

Sir:

The Com^tee of Warehouses of the E.I. Com^y desire you would please to inform them whether you have receiv^d any advices from _Boston_ relative to the said Com^ys exportation of tea to that colony, and if you have, to communicate the purport thereof to the Committee. I am, sir,

Your most obe. ser^t WM. SETTLE.

East India House, 20^th Dec^r 1773.

To Mr. Wm. Palmer,} Brook Watson, } _Boston._

Wm. Greenwood, } J^o. Nutt, } _South Carolina._

Jn^o. Blackburn, } Wm. Kelly, } _New York._

Fred^k Pigou, Jun^r. _New York & Philadelphia._

Geo. Browne, } Sam^l Wharton, } _Philadelphia._

LETTER TO SUNDRY AMERICAN MERCHANTS.[39]

Sir:

The Comm^tee of Warehouses desire the favor of an answer under your hand to my letter of yesterday, relative to the exportation of tea to _Boston_. I am, sir,

Your most obd^t servant,

WM. SETTLE.

East India House, 21^st Dec^r 1773.

Brook Watson, Esq^r. _Boston._ Wm. Greenwood, Esq^r. } John Nutt, Esq^r. } _South Carolina._ John Blackburn, Esq^r. _New York._ Geo. Browne, Esq^r. _Philadelphia._

* * * * *

LETTERS FROM SUNDRY AMERICAN MERCHANTS,

WITH ENCLOSURES OF ADVICES FROM THE SEVERAL COLONIES.

_BOSTON._

_From Mr. Palmer._

Mr. Palmer has received no material advices from Boston since the consignment has taken place, but has letters of as late a date from thence as the 3^d of Novem^r, one of which mentions there was no tea then to be bought.

East India House, 21st Dec^r 1773

Garlick Hill, 22d Decem^r 1773.

_To the Hon'ble the Committee of Warehouses, East India House._

Gent^m:

In compliance with your request, we send you enclosed extracts from the letters which we have lately received from Boston relative to the Com^ys teas sent there.

We are, gent^m Your most hum. serv^ts WATSON & RASHLEIGH.

_Extract of a Letter dated Boston, 18^th Octo^r., 1773:_

"But what difficulties may arise from the disaffection of the merchants and importers of tea to this measure of the India Company, I am not yet able to say. It seems at present to be a matter of much speculation, and if one is to credit the prints, no small opposition will be made thereto. However, I am in hopes it will be otherwise, and taking it for granted that the tea should arrive, and no obstacle happen to prevent its being landed and disposed of, agreeably to the instructions of the Company, then I am to add that you may be assured I shall strictly conform to the instructions which I may jointly receive respecting it, paying all due regard to the contents of your letter.

"I know not how to write more fully hereon until the tea arrives, and what may possibly be the consequences attending it. My friends seem to think it will subside; others are of a contrary opinion."

_Extract of a Letter dated Boston, 30 Oct^r., 1773:_

"I omitted a letter to you in particular when I wrote to your house the 10^th inst., because I thought it was probable, both from the contents of your letter then received, as well as from the public reports, that the tea you mention as coming from the India Com^y might every day be expected to arrive, as you say 4 Aug^t they intended shipping 300 chests immediately, but by my letter, this day received by a vessel from London, it is not to be sent.

"I perceive by the prints, that the clamour is still continued against this measure of the India Company, and seems to be pursued with rather more warmth in some of the Southern Colonies than in this. For my own part I am not sufficiently skilled in politicks to see the pernicious consequences which 'tis said must arise therefrom. If they would prevent the Tea Act being enforced, or the payment of the revenue arising therefrom to Government, methinks they should either not import any tea, or rather not consume any, and then the end would be answered at once. But while there is such a vast quantity exported every year by so considerable a number of persons, who all pay the duty thereof on its arrival, I do not see why every importer, nay, every consumer thereof, do not as much contribute to inforce the Tea Act as the India Comp^y themselves, or the persons to whom they may think proper to consign their tea for sale. Nor can I but be of opinion that the uneasiness is fomented, if not originated, principally by those persons concerned in the Holland trade, and thereby introduce large quantities of tea, which, paying no duty, by that means they can afford to undersell those who do pay it, and this trade, I am informed, is much more practiced in the Southern Governments than this way.

"To what lengths the opposition to this tea's being brought or landed, or disposed of, may be carried, must be left to time to determine."

_Extract of a Letter dated Boston, 4 Nov^r., 1773:_

"Thus far I had wrote you with intentions to forward by first conveyance, when I found there was to be a muster of the people, to demand that the persons who are to be employed as agents for disposing of the tea which may come from the India Company, would resign their commissions & swear (under Liberty Tree) to return the tea by the same or first vessels for London, &c. You will be fully acquainted of their unreasonable proceedings. After the time had elapsed which was fixed upon for the gentlemen to appear and resign, on their not complying with the order, they marched down in a body to Mr. Clarke's store, where we were, and not receiving such an answer as they demanded, they began an attack upon the store and those within, breaking down doors, flinging about mud, &c., for about an hour, when they began to disperse, and a number of gentl^n, friends of those agents coming to their assistance, they left the store and went upon change, but met with no further insult, tho' there is much threatening. As the tea is not arrived, and it is uncertain when it may, I purpose to write you again speedily.

"In the interim, I am, &c."

SOUTH CAROLINA.

_Letter from Mr. Greenwood._

Sir:

In answer to your letter of the 20^th inst., I beg you would be pleased to inform the Com^tee of Warehouses that I have yet received no advices from South Carolina, relative to the Comp^y's exportation of tea. When I do, they may depend I will take the earliest opportunity to communicate the same to them.

I am, sir, Your most obe^t serv^t WM. GREENWOOD

Queen Street, 22^d Dec^r., 1773. Mr. Settle.

* * * * *

_From Mr. Nutt._

Gentlemen:

In compliance with your desire, intimated to me by Mr. Settle, respecting any information received from South Carolina, concerning the teas exported by the East I. Com^y to that Colony, I have the honor to acquaint you that the vessel in which they were shipped did not sail from England before the 18^th October, and the latest dates from thence are only the 1^st Nov^r., so that we cannot expect for some time to hear of her arrival. I have the honor to be, gent^n.,

Your most obed^t hum. serv^t., JOHN NUTT.

Broad Street, 22^nd Decem^r, 1773. To the Com^tee of Warehouses, &c., &c., &c.

* * * * *

_NEW YORK._

_Letter from Mr. Blackburn._

Sir:

I am honored with your two letters of the 20^th & 21st curr^t, desiring me to inform the Com^tee of Warehouses if I have received any advices from New York relative to the Com'^s exportation of tea to that Colony.

The vessel wherein the tea was shipped was not arrived when the last letters were dispatched from thence, consequently no precise judgment can be formed whether or not it would be permitted to be landed; but I flatter myself from the disposition of the principal gentle^n of New York, who are men of moderation, candour and prudence, and as firmly attached to the Government and laws of this Kingdom as any of his Majesty's subjects; that they will, by their example and influence, be able to suppress every riot and disturbance occasioned by the opposers of this measure.

I expect a ship from New York, which was to depart about the 26^th Novem^r, by which I shall receive some fresh intelligence relative to this business, and if I should be furnished with any advices that regard the interest of the Company, I shall not fail to wait on the Directors immediately. I have the honor to be, sir,

Your most obed^t & hum. ser^t JOHN BLACKBURN.

Scots Yard, 22^nd Dec^r, 1773. Mr. Wm. Settle.

_Extract of a Letter from a merchant in New York, to Wm. Kelly, of London, dated 5^th Nov^r, 1773:_

"The introduction of the East India Company's tea is violently opposed here, by a set of men who shamefully live by monopolizing tea in the smuggling way."

_Extract of a Letter from Abraham Lott, Esq^r., of New York, to Wm. Kelly,[40] of London, dated New York, 5^th Nov^r., 1773, & received with the above mentioned Extract of Mr. Kelly, 22^d Dec^r., 1773:_

"Herewith you will receive several papers relating to the importation of the India Com^y's tea. If it comes out free of a _duty here_ on importation, things I believe may go quiet enough, tho' you will observe much is said against it even on that supposition. But if it should be subject to a duty here, I am much in doubt whether it will be safe, as almost every body in that case speaks against the admission of it, so that, altho' I am well assured that the Governor will not suffer the laws to be trampled on, yet there will be no such thing as selling it, as the people would rather buy so much poison, than the tea with the duty thereon, calculated (they say) to enslave them and their posterity, and therefore are determined not to take what they call the nauseous draft. A little time will determine how matters will terminate, that is, if the tea comes out. If it does, I hope it may come free of duty, as by that means much trouble and anxiety will be saved by the agents. I do assure you they have all been very uneasy, tho' at the same time determined to do their duty, but in the most prudent & quiet manner. It is now two o'clock, P.M., when I received the paper signed Cassius, in which you will find Mr. L---- R----de handsomely complimented, and yourself severely handled, on a supposition that you should have spoken words to the import, as asserted in the paper. Mr. R----e's name is not mentioned, but there is no doubt but he is the person alluded to, as upon the arrival of the London ships, who refused to bring the tea. It was currently reported that he had wrote his partner nearly in the same words as mentioned in the paper. You are the best judge of the truth of the assertion, but whether true or not, his conduct is ungenerous and mean. If the paper speaks truth, that he was offered part of the consignment of tea, he must be a man of great influence to have so great an offer made him, when so many other people of weight were applying for it and could not obtain it."

* * * * *

_From Mr. Fred^k Pigou, Jun^r._

Sir:

Please to acquaint the Com^tee of Warehouses of the Hon'ble the East India Company, that from the advices I have received from _Philadelphia_, I should be of opinion the tea sent to that place will, if landed, meet with much difficulty in being disposed of.

At New York, I am of opinion it will meet with less opposition, and may possibly be sold in that city. It would have been fortunate if the New York vessel could have arrived as soon or before the Philadelphia ship.

I am, sir, your most hum. serv^t FRED'K PIGOU, Jun^r.

Mark Lane, 21st Dec^r., 1773. To Mr. Settle.

_PHILADELPHIA._

_Letter from Mr. Geo. Browne._

Sir:

The advice I have from my brother at Philadelphia, relative to the Com^y's consignment of tea, is, that it was very doubtful how it would be received there, the measure being looked upon in an unfavorable view in general. He had only just received an account (from another hand) of his being nominated one of the agents, and refers me to the public prints for an account of the resolutions entered into by the people in opposition to it. I am, sir,

Your most obedi^t ser^t GEO. BROWNE.

Mr. Settle.

* * * * *

_From Mr. Sam^l Wharton._

Sir:

I understand that Mr. Walpole, of Lincolns Inn Fields, had received some advices from my brother, respecting the teas sent to Philadelphia. I applied to him for them, and he requested that I would send them to you, with what intelligence I had myself received. I am, sir,

Your very hum. serv^t SAMUEL WHARTON.

Argyle Street, Decem^r 23, 1773. Mr. Settle.

_Extract of a Letter from Thomas Wharton,[41] Esq^r. of Philadelphia, dated Oct. 5, 1773, to Sam^l Wharton, in London:_

"I have closely attended to the course of your arguments, and think they are of great weight, but you know it is impossible always to form a true judgment from what real motives an opposition springs, as the smugglers and London importers may both declare that this duty is stamping the Americans with the badge of slavery, and notwithstanding the Directors of the East India Company have a just right to send their teas where they think proper, yet the Americans allege they may and ought to refuse to purchase and use it.

"A little time after the ship's arrival we shall know what is to be done, and I expect we shall before that time have a conference with the agents from New York, _which I proposed_, that our conduct might be uniform, and as much as possible answer the end of _our appointment_."

_Extracts of two Letters from Tho^s. Warton, Esq^r., of Philadelphia, dated Oct. 5 and Oct. 30, 1773, to the Hon'ble Tho^s. Walpole, of London:_

"About a week before the arrival of the September mail, a letter reached this city, informing us that particular persons (tho' not all of them the proper ones) were nominated agents for the East India Directors. This gave the inhabitants a knowledge of the intention of the Directors, and some persons immediately declared, that as the duty was still retained, that, tho' small, yet it as implicitly fixed the power and established the badge of slavery, as if it had been greater. The same sentiments, I am told, are expressed in letters from New York. At present, therefore, it is impossible to say what measures the people will take on this occasion, but I should expect they will not hinder the tea being landed, if they insist on its not being sold, till the duty is taken off by Act of Parliament, or the East India Directors satisfy the Commissioners of the Customs in London. For, notwithstanding, it may justly be urged that the Directors of the East India Comp^y have a right to export their teas to North America, yet, as it is said, the inhabitants have also a right of judgment respecting the purchase and consumption. I should expect, that if the opposition takes place, it will rest with _their_ adherence to an engagement of this kind.

"I can have no doubt that the India Com^y would find their sales lucrative, and that an extension of trade would certainly take place, by comprehending the articles of pepper, spices, and silks in their exports; great quantities of the two first articles have certainly been introduced in the Continent from Holland and thro' the West Indies, and therefore it is that I apprehend the London merchants are mistaken when they say they already ship as much as the Continent can consume, for through them are imported only such quantities of spices, &c., as the merchant here can vend, after the run goods are sold, they being imported cheaper than those from England, are naturally first sold. But if the East India Company should think proper to extend their trade, I cannot doubt it would in a great measure put a stop to the importation from Holland and the Dutch Islands, and large sums would annually pass from America to London for those commodities. But perhaps little more should be said until it is known in what manner our fellow countrymen shall view this scheme of trade."

"Philadelphia, Oct. 30, 1773.