307 | To Richard Jackson

    Boston Octo. 15. 1764

    Dr Sr.

    Just before I set out for my Eastern Voyage, Mr Cockle Collectr. of Salem made me acquainted with a considerable & extensive fraud discovered in his port of Salem. I immediately sent for the Advocate genl. & put the affair into his hands, & he filed libells against the offenders according to Law. When I returned from the Eastward 5 Weeks after, I found that the Surveyor genl. had so resented Mr Cockle’s advising with me about this prosecution, that He had suspended him from his Office. There are other pretended reasons, besides this, given for this suspension; but I dare say they’l prove to be frivolous & makeweights: For it is notorious that his consulting me in regard to this prosecution, is his grand offence.

    I’ve suffered many great insults from the imperiousness of this Gentleman, which I have been prevailed upon to pass over & bury by the interposition of friends. But this is an Insult that so immediately strikes at my Authority, & has really Subjected me to the Insolence of the Smugglers, that I cannot pass it by.1 The Surveyor Genl., has, it is said, sent away complaints against me; I heartily Wish both our Conducts may be most strictly enquired into, that it may appear which is light in the Ballance. For my own part I shall take this2 opportunity to unburthen my mind fully, & free myself from such attacks for the future.

    But as I’ve a great deal of public business that necessarily stands before this, & am apprehensive that his Representations may tend to prejudge me, I beg the favour of you to prevent any Judgement of my Conduct being formed, untill I can represent this matter myself; which I hope to do by the very next ships which sail after that which carries this.3

    You’l make what use you please of this letter for the purposes which it is intended

    I am Sr. &c

    R Jackson Esqr.

    AL, LbC BP, 3: 256, 259.