to between 6 and 7 hundred pounds. All Accounts relating to her shall be forwarded as soon as we are able, but it will be some time first as we dont expect to begin recieving the freight till the latter end of next month. Having settled with the Buyers of the Neptune and the Deborah we enclose you their accounts, nett proceeds of the former being £288.14.5 and of the latter £662.13.1 which we flatter ourselves you will approve, and if upon examination they are found without Error please note them in conformity, as you will also the enclosed Account Sales of the Staves received by the Deborah, for nett proceeds of which have credited you £37.4.9. By direction of Captain Storey we have applied to Mr. Mayne for the proceeds of your part of the Venus's Cargo, which he has not yet paid us, but promises to do it in a few days, so that our next we suppose will acquaint you with the Sum he pays us. We are very much obliged to you for the generous offer you make us of a part in the Nancy upon so equitable terms, and likewise for the shares you propose our taking in the other two Vessels designed for the Jamaica Trade. There are not two Gentlemen in America with whom we would so soon enter into such an Engagement as yourself and Mr. Rotch, but it is utterly incompatible with our general plan of business to become Owners of Shipping. We confine ourselves as far as we are able to our Commission business, which is as much as we find ourselves able to manage properly, and no temptation of profit would induce us to enter into a West India connection further than it falls in with our No. American Trade. We sincerely wish your plan may turn out as advantageous as you expect. Such part of it as you may think proper to place under our Management here you may depend upon it we will execute with the same Zeal as if it was wholly our own concern, for we desire upon every occasion to prove ourselves, Sir, Your most Humble Servants,

HAYLEY AND HOPKINS

31st. Mr. Mayne has this morning paid us £600 for your Account which is to your credit.

Sir,

STOCKER AND WHARTON TO CHRISTOPHER CHAMPLIN

Philadelphia, September 8th, 1774.

We have before us your favor of the 30th August and find you were on the look out for Flaxseed, and wish you may succeed to procure it on reasonable terms. we are of opinion it will bear as good a price here as it did the last year. it is certain in this Province the Crop falls short of the last year.

We can expect no kind of information from the Delegates in Congress as they are sworn to Secresy, so that we must wait with patience until they have entirely finished the business they have met on. We however can hardly think that a Non Exportation can take place to Ireland, unless it becomes general, that is an intire Suspension of Trade. it is the Opinion of a very great Number that a Non Importation from Great Britain would answer a good purpose.1 the times are very precarious, and if it should be found necessary to shut up our Ports, either partially or all together, it must be submitted to; therefore this consideration should be attended to in making purchases. The other day we receiv'd account sales of the Flaxseed, Nett Proceeds, £1066.2.7 Irish; when it is remitted we shall know the Amount in Sterling, and after being furnished with Sales of the Flour and the Remittance for your third sent forward we can settle the difference of profits on both adventures.

The last account from Lisbon was very discouraging for our produce, with but very little hope of an amendment. should any alteration take place this Fall for the better we will hold a third in the Peggy's Cargoe from hence, and very probably we shall have orders to interest some of our Lisbon Friends another third.

Our Exchange has been favorable for a long time, say 72 to 76 per Ct. they are rather on the decline, and as soon as Produce comes plenty to Market, which will be in a few weeks, they will fall.

Our Farmers are now very busy preparing the ground for the next crop. the last was the finest we ever had for Wheat and Rye. We remain With respect, Sir, Your Very Humble Servants,

STOCKER AND WHARTON

CHRISTOPHER CHAMPLIN TO STOCKER AND WHARTON

Gentlemen,

Newport, September 17th, 1774.

Your favor of 8th Inst. I have before me, noteing the Nt. proceeds of our seed. do you mean exclusive of Insur[ance]? or is it still to be charged? what is the common exchange between Ireland and London? we have many bidders after seed; our country engrossers will not deliver it here under £3 N. York money per cask including cask. I have agreed with several at that price. I lost the buying 40 cask this day, by endeavouring to get it 58/ per cask. another steped in and bid 60/; that I find unless I finally comply shall not obtain a quantity, and I fear 64/ will be finally given. I shall buy all I can at 60/ per cask. do you mean to ship it to Ireland, or sell it? write me by first post, as I shall be obliged to ship it in different Coasters and at different periods - at least a month distant from the Ist to last time of shiping - to prevent the storeing here, as it is sent in at different times, from many quarters having a Vessel last year of my own [I] tarryed till collected the whole, but by our Coasters it can be shipped only as it comes in. I have endeavoured to keep the seed from being sent in till about the time Anthony returns. If it

is required sooner say when, and whither I may continue to buy at 60/ N. York per Cask. If the Peggy shou'd arive in time will send it in her. Seed ought to fetch 10/ with you to make it worth attending too. If a prospect of giting a good price at Ireland, it may be well to ship, unless 10/ coud be had with you. all the information you can send me will be necessary, as the time draws near. I am, Gentlemen, Your most humble Servant,

CHRIS: CHAMPLIN

[Endorsed,] Per Capt. Anthony.

Parr, BulkelEY AND CO. TO CHRISTOPHER CHAMPLIN

Sir,

Lisbon, 24 September, 1774.

We had the pleasure of writing you the 26th Ulto. per Captain Barron of your Ship Peggy who we hope is arrived in a good State of health. we handed you bill of lading and Invoice of 200 Moys Salt, Account Port Charges and Disbursements, also Manifest of the Ships freight and advised of a remittance of 929$315 to your friends Hayley and Hopkins all which we confirm and crave your reference to the further contents.

Before us is your truely esteemd favor of the 6th July and finding Salt was a glutt at Newfoundland we are glad that did not order the Peggy to try St. Johns with her Cargoe; by late advices from Phila. we find a liklyhood from a plentifull harvest throughout the Continent of flour being at or under our limits of 16s per cwt. here this article is looking upwards, and very likely to leave a proffit in the Winter and Spring. Yellow Conecticut Corn, and good red Wheat, also bid fair for a favorable exit. as yet we have not put off the 50 Bls flour per the Peggy last Voyage, nor collected sufficient from the debts to make a further remittance to your London friends. we hope it will not be long ere we have the pleasure. Whenever you have an opportunity of recommending Consignments to us we'll be gratefully thankfull to you for them, and you may rest assured of our acting in such an honorable manner as to give intire satisfaction. at your service we truely are, Sir, Your assur'd friends and obedient Servants,

We have before us your favor of the 17th Inst. and find you had the promise of 200 Casks of Seed which would stand in 66/ our Currency per Cask d'd here. we suppose this includes the Cask otherwise we are afraid it will leave us but little profit. however we have no objection to your continuing to purchase as you propose until you secure four or five hundred hhds, and doubt not you will exert your self to procure them on the very best terms. We have still reason to believe that this province, and we believe the Jerseys too, will produce a much less quantity of that article than they did the last year; but we are informed that Maryland and Virginia will do pritty well. You know better than us what the Northern Provinces can furnish. We are in hopes the price here will be 10/ or near it, and we think we had better sell at that than ship it. however of this we shall perhaps be better able to form a good Judgment by and by. it matters not when you ship it, but we think you should not loose an opportunity lest you should be perplexed to get a Vessel to bring it.

No Vessel lately from Lisbon or Cadiz; the first that arrives shall make enquiry of the Captain about the Peggy. The Congress is still sitting; they keep their Intentions secret, save that the other day they published a Resolve which is here inclosed, and will shew that they intend in part that a Non Importation from Great Britain is necessary for the preservation of the Libertys of America. it is impossible to judge what they will determine upon, but we