Selected Correspondence

    November 1770–June 1772

    737. To William Palmer

    Boston 3. Nov 1770

    Sir, I shall inclose two bills of Watts & McEvers for £150— each, which please to receive & carry to my Credit. I shall give a bill upon you to James Fisher my Taylor for £49— which please to honour. I have delivered Capt Waters two Gold Watches which want cleaning & a little repairing, part of the chain of one remains being some of the ruins of my house in 1765.1 Be so good as to cause it to be compleated & to send me another chain for the other watch about 3 Guineas value each & a seal to each of 20 or 30/ value and a plain seal silver or cornelian a Caesar head. Send me also a third chain for another Ladys watch I have at home. I am obliged to you for your very prudent management of the Tea concern. I hope my Sons will send you an agreable account of the concern here. They are running off the last 49 Chests from 4/8 to 5/. If others Ship you will go on purchasing & shipping at discretion. It looks as if people were coming to their senses. If the Merchants in England had not shewn too much countenance to the folly here the knot of faction would have broke long ago. If others do not ship it will be best to ship to Halifax from whence I can have it privately brought in the Kings Scooners but, before this can be done special provision must be made for the reception of it there & paying the duty & shipping it here concerning which if necessary I will write farther. At present I think the importation will be general & free. Pray add Shagreen cases for the watches & send me a shaving Apparatus with good Edges about a Guinea the whole. I am Sir Your most humble Servant,

    AC (Massachusetts Archives, SC1/series 45X, 27:49); at head of letter, “Mr W Palmer”; at foot of letter, “I did not send the Watches.”

    738. To Sir Francis Bernard

    Boston 5 Nov. 1770

    (No 42)

    Dear Sir, Just after I had closed No 41 I receivd your favor No 40.1 I delivered the Letters to Commodore Gambier which Lady Bernard thought would be agreeable to you though no favour is now to be asked of him, the Tweed being every day expected from NYork.2 I am glad Ruggles is provided for. He has not attended the Court having been not well all the Session.3

    I hear Mr T—— is going to England in Scot. Mr Murray tells me he goes in the Glasgo or Tweed.4

    Mr Antin has been trying to introduce himself into business here. It is difficult. He is sensible but has not the impudence of young Quincy & some others.5 I had before promised him all the assistance in my power. I have nothing worth mentioning to you from the General Court. I am most sincerely Dear Sir Your faithful humble,

    AC (Massachusetts Archives, SC1/series 45X, 27:50).