ENPages
(seq. 36)
Havana Feby 14th. 1800
Barney Smith Esqr.
Merchant. Boston. Sir. In a packet of letters which I recceived on the 18th. ult. from Boston, was one enclosed by you to Mr. Nathl. Fellows Jr. He being absent, I took the liberty of opening it (agreeable to his wishes before he left this place) and found it to be on the subject of a quantity of cinnamon shiped by you in the schooner Ruby to his address. In answer to this letter of yours, I have to inform that Mr. Fellows took his passage in the ship Thorn; Captn. Edes bound for Boston and sailed from this place on the 27th. of December in company with a number of other vessels all bound to different ports on the continent. Three days after they had sailed, the ship Mary, (one of the fleet) foundered, and all hands lost except one man. The United States Brig General Pinkney got on shore in the same gale, and after damaging considerably was got off and in company with a Boston Brig and schooner put into Charleston in distress. From their circumstances, and the ship Thorn being old with bad rigging and sails we have every reason to suppose she is lost. A very fine schooner called the Flying Fish bound to Charleston and who was also one of the Fleet is missing. 'Tis supposed she is lost. They have now been out 49 days. The proceeds of your adventure by Mr Fellows was shiped in the Thorn. The cinnamon sold at 6 1/2 or 7 dollars p [?].
[Sent by Captn. Dunbar of the Schooner Unicorn.]
(seq. 37)
Havana Feby. 22d 1800.
My friend Dan.
Last evening I received a letter from Mr Barney Smith under date of the 17th. ult. informing me of the melancholly circumstance that has happened at Taunton. You may conceive the poignancy of my feelings, I cannot describe them. The situation in which my Hannah was placed was shocking to the last degree. What have not happened to this family? From the tenor of Mr Smiths letter I have but little hopes of the recovery of Mrs. Keith. Shou'd she die? What will become of Sally & Hannah?. Shou'd she live what will be the Situation & circumstances of her little family? On this occasion Mr. Abiel Smith (unless his compossition is Adamantine) must feel most sensibly. 'Tis owing to that Jewish dispossition (so conspicuous in him) that Mr. Keith was not furnished with a servant to spare her the danger of exposing herself at 2 oClo. in night to build a fire to prepare her own medicines. What her two Brothers may now do for her, am unable to determine. For me to say that I am most Sensibly affected at the situation in which Hannah was placed when this accident and still continues wou'd be needless as you already must conceive it. Tender as her two youngest daughters are (Mrs. Keiths) this must be too severe a stroke. I most heartily condole with them in their extreme pungency of Grief & affliction, as also with Hampden whose feelings are accute. And you my friend, from the estimation in which you hold the family in general must feel a high wrought sense of Pity. I am sure you cou'd not stand unmov'd & hear the tender cry of Sally. As I have many letters to write by this convoy, cannot be long they write to me by every conveyance. I want to
(seq. 38)
Contd.
open my mind to you on a particular subject, but I do not know whether propriety wou'd admit of it. I will ask you one question and beg you wou'd give me a sincere & serious answer in your first after the receipt of this, that is, are you Courting Sally with the fixed intention of making your days happy by being United to her? If you are, you do well. Few, possess a more agreeable person, -- less, a more amiable mind. I ask this question (which you may possibly think impertinent) most seriously, and request a most serious answer. True if I have no bussiness to meddle or interfere in your concerns, but the friendship existing between us and the relation in which I stand to Mrs. Keiths family, will be a sufficient appology. I do not write to you as a cold spectator, but as a warmly attached friend. No one is more solicitous for your future welfare than myself, and if there is not an impropriety it, am most anxious to know your future prospects in an answer to this letter, after which I shall open my mind very freely to you on a delicate subject, and one in which, 'tis not impossible, but we are both very nearly interested. With my best wishes for you &c. am Sincerely yours. C.
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Havana Feby. 22. 1800
Mr B. Smith.
Sir. Your two favors of 17th. & 21st. ult. were received yesterday. 'Tis not possible for me to describe to you the poignancy of my feelings on perusing their contents. Mr Mar. Keith is inconsolable. His feelings are accute on ordinary occasions, and in this peculiarly so.
(seq. 39)
Contd.
For the tender concern you are pleas'd to express for Miss Hannah in the first of your letters, Receive Sir, my most grateful acknowledgements. This distressing scene with her kind and only parent added to the misfortunes of another branch of the family render her situation the subject of sympathy.
With Mrs. Keith, most probably ['?er] this the issue is known. Whatever it may be we wish to be informed and anxiously expect a letter from you. Mr. Keith writes by this opportunity.
Yours &c. C.
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Havana Feby. 22d. 1800
My friend Keith
The present serves to enclose a few letters. I recd. a letter from Mr. B. Smith stating the melancholly circumstance lately happen'd at Taunton. I most heartily condole with you. By the assistance of Dr. Warren I hope your Mother will soon recover, of this however by the tenor of Mr. Smiths letter I am doubtful. In case of the worst (with the keenest affliction I write it) Do not forget Hannah, shou'd she be left an orphan. I am most sensibly affected by this unpreceedented misfortune. This, with Amelias Situation must be too much for the tender hearted hearted Hannah. Happy shou'd I be if on the spot to attempt in some degree to alleviate her distresses. When she is unhappy I am wretched. Write me, my dear friend, by the very first opportunity your Mothers Situation. 'twill ease my mind. Of all things a state of uncertainty & suspense is the worst. I wrote you a few days since by Mr C. Otis by whom I [...]
(seq. 40)
Havana March 5th. 1800
Mr Charles Clarkson.
Dr Sir. Your favor of 5th. ult. in answer to my letter of 29th. Decr. was received P the Eliza Captn. Fairchild. Be pleas'd to accept my thanks for the particular enquiries made for Mr. Zuazo. About two weeks after the date of my letter to you on the subject of this Gentlemans absence, he arrived here and made returns much to the satisfaction of the Marquis. He was absent from this place nearly 6 months without writing to his friends, or in short ever being heard of, which circumstance was alarming to those who had intrusted him with property.
This market at the present moment is good for all kinds of German manufactures and American produce, particularly provissions. Cotton goods of every description are prohibited, as also silk hose and shoes. But few American vessels have been here the Season past, & none that have made bad voyages. Lumber has been very high, but now reduced to 35 dls P in. By the next opportunity will send you a price Current, meantime am your friend &c. GAC
[P the United States ship Pitapsco Captain Geddes]
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Havana March 11th. 1800.
Mr Nathl. Jones.
By Mr Munroe (who arrived here the day before yesterday) your favor of 12th. inst. was rec.
On the arrival of Captn. Childs from the Coast, shall give you the earlest advice. Slaves being now scarce & high (500 dls P head for prime) I have not a doubt but you will make an excellent voyage. I sincerely hope it.
As to the wine & cheese, we have it here in large quant [...] that was brought in
[P the Greyhound.]