Hancock family papers, 1712-1854 (inclusive). Volume JH-6 John Hancock letterbook (business), 1762-1783. Mss:766 1712-1854 H234. Baker Library Historical Collections, Harvard Business School.

John Hancock's

Deposited by Charles L. Hancock Boston, {November} 9 : 1871 Charles L. Hancock Holburn

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Boston October 14th 1764

Sir

I have this moment Rec'd the Inclosed Lists, Dates Viz't 14th of June to 11th July, 12th July to August, 9th August to 5th September, 1764. Authenticated, which hope will come safe to your Hands.

I wrote you the 14th {September} last, Copy you have here Inclosed, also, Copies of Mr. Gerrish's & Williams's Letter, in regard to Bread at Annapolis, & Dr. Steele's account, to all which I have only time to refer, as the Vessell is going off.

I am also to inform you that I have ship't, since our Accounts were closed to Chegnecto & Annapolis, to carry on your contract, supposing the same Numbers, as last year, to victual up to June, or all June next, & Insured it to the amount of £730, Lawfull Money, accounts for the same shall Transmitt you by next Opportunity.

In Regard to the Bread, Complained of at Annapolis, & Expect the Same at Chegnecto, I shall consult, & do every thing in my power for your interests. I expect the same Complaints from Chegnecto to which place I shipt a full proportion of it. Messrs Winslow & Williams will do their best, and I have Desired them to issue what they can to the French.

A quantity of provisions must be sent also to Mr. Gerrish this Fall, for the Numbers he victuals to make up your 500.

I am Sir Your most {Obedient} {Humble} {Servant}

PS The {Gentlemen} Surveyors appear to me to be very blameable. I am sure they were fully Instructed by me & Mr Gerrish, not to pass any but what would keep, sound & good untill issued.

The Drought occasions Provisions to be very high, & will be so the Coming Year.

Matthew Woodford {Esquire}

[right margin] By {Captain} Cromartie. By {Captain} Bulley to Exeter

[horizontal line drawn to separate sections]

Boston October 18th 1764

Sir

The foregoing is Copy of my last; the Lists mentioned went in the Original: I have {Received} no Copies of said lists. You see what Difficulties, & Perplexities & heavy Charges still attend your Contract. I shall do all I can & wish you may come at Justice. Steel I find will be very far from being able to pay his Debts, if any thing be found, due from him.

I am Sir Your most {Obedient} {Humble} {Servant}

Matthew Woodford {Esquire}

[right margin] By {Captain} Jacobson. By {Captain} Bulley to Exeter.

Boston {November} 19: 1764

Sir

The inclosed lists from 14th June, to the 5th of {September} are Duplicates of those sent you, as {per} the foregoing copy of my letter, I just {Received} from {Mister} Gerrish, I send you also the copy of his letter to me, to which Refer. I expect soon to have occasion to write you, & to have the satisfaction to hear from you, as I find the Man of War & Fleet were arrived from hence, by whom I sent your accounts.

I am shipping Provisions to Halifax, for your Number Victuall'd by {Mister} Gerrish, after which, I shall Transmitt you the {Account} of my advance since last {Account}; it's determined to send you lists every three months, as you wrote to have them come in that manner.

I am Sir Your most {Obedient} {Humble} {Servant} Mathew Woodford {Esquire}

[left margin] By {Captain} Bulley to Exeter

[horizontal line drawn to separate sections]

Boston 26th {November} 1762

Sir

I have {Received} your {favour} with Atkins Bill protested, and now inclose you {Thomas} Lyde's Bill on Sarah Lyde in Lympston Value £56.16.4/2, when paid credit my {account} for the same, & as I imagine my friend {Mister} {Jonathan} Barnard & Co. have paid you the sums I order'd, this Bill will over balance my {account} whatever it be, I desire you to ship me to the {amount] in good Gloucester cheese, or 4[?] [?]ins.

I am Sir

your most {humble} {Servant} To {Mister} William Jones

[left margin] By {Captain} Main By {Captain} Treat via Topsham By {Captain} Bulley to Exeter

[horizontal line drawn to separate sections]

Sunday {October} 17th 1764

Dear Sir

At my Return from Church, I found on the Table the {Reverend} {Mister} Dodd's Excellent sermon, preach'd at the Anniversary Meeting of the Governor's of the Magdalen Charity, in March last, which my Nephew had just Receiv'd. I Read it with great Pleasure, which Reminded me of a former Resolution of throwing in my mite to that noble Charity, which thro' Hurry of Business I had omitted, and lest I should forget it again, I take my pen and Desire you will please to pay out of the first money you may Receive for me, Twenty Guineas, my subscription to the Magdalen Charity, & charge to my account.

I am with much Respect, Dear Sir, Your most {Obedient} {Humble} {Servant}

To {Jonathan} Barnard {Esquire} one of the {Governors} of Magdalen Charity.

[left margin] By {Captain} Jacobson By {Captain} Cromartie By {Captain} Keir to Bristol.

Boston {November} 5th 1764

{Gentlemen}

I {Received} your favour of July 31st observe Mr Atkins's Bill on Trafford & Elms is Refused, & noted, however am of opinion, it will be paid, as Newfoundland is happily fallen again into our Hands. as I have no Power of attorney from Kilby, Barnard, & Parker, to whom Mr. Laughton was Indebted, so could have no Demand in Law, therefore have Deliver'd that {account} to Mr Parker, your Partner; my Power is from Kilby & Barnard only.

In Regard to Sewall & Lewis, I have good Security, but as I wrote they cant pay yet, & it would not be prudent to Sue, as it must break them both up, as things are at present.

The Tea is Arrived. I hope to hear from you soon, and am {Gentlemen} Your most {Obedient} {Humble} {Servant}

PS Inclosed is a Certificate from the Custom House, of landing the Tea, by Loring. Messrs {Jonathan} Barnard & Co.

[right margin] By {Captain} Keir, via Bristol. By {Captain} Bulley, to Exeter. By {Captain} Main

[horizontal line drawn to separate sections]

Boston {November} 30th 1764

{Gentlemen}

I herewith Inclose you Invoice for sundry goods, which I Desire you to Ship on my {Account} by the first good Opportunity, in the Spring, & Insure them. You will take particular Care that the goods are well Chosen -- Pack'd, & Charg'd at the lowest Prizes.

Inclosed you have also William Thomas's Bill, on Mr William Bivall Dartmouth. £175, & Thomas Williams's Bill, on John Humfrey {Esquire} for £20 when paid, Credit my Account.

I am with Great Esteem {Gentlemen} Your most {Obedient} {Humble} {Servant}

PS Hope soon to hear the Fate of my Bill, Transmitted by the Mast Fleet.

{Captain} Atkins's Bill, for 688.6.6 d {Sterling}, notwithstanding I wrote to Send it back protested, if this Comes in Time protest it, take 10 {per cent} Damages, & Interest 'till paid. I hear, & there will be no Doubt of it's being paid, if not done already.

{Jonathan} Barnard & Co.

Boston {December} 2d 1764.

{Gentlemen}

Since the foregoing, I {Received} via Halifax, your favour of 31st {August} with the Papers refering to Mr Cummings, which I shall See Executed, as soon as may be. I Desire you to protest his Bill, & keep it, that I may Draw the Interest, & 10 {per cent} Damages; the Papers shall be forwarded you, as soon as Authenticated.

{Captain} Robert Stockton, in the Ship Hopewell, is a Transport still in the Service, and if the Bill be not paid, protest it, & beg you will apply to the Navy Board, & Stop the money, as I dont Expect ever to See him again, and I know there is, or was when here, a large Sum due for hire of {said} Ship. I thank your honouring Sword & Bell's Bill, with Hills & Lamars, for the Wine. Hope there will be no Peace, 'till the Parliament {Settles}.

I am {Gentlemen} Your most {Obedient} {Humble} {Servant}

P.S. I sent you all the Pott Ash. I had made, if it will answer, I shall go into the manufacture.

{Jonathan} Barnard & Co.

[right margin] By {Captain} Main. Via New York By Gardner Via Bristol