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(seq. 1)
London December 23 1767
Dear Sir
I wrote you by the Packett Via New York where in I mentioned divers things relative to you & my self But sir something as to my self. If you remmember Sir I mentioned my waiting on Harrison Barnard & Spragg and John Barnards conduct at that time since which I have waited upon them again and found only John Barnard at the store who (when I gave him {your} Letter) took with an air of disdain and gave it a fling upon his desk - and then began to tell me of your affairs, (Which I told him I knew nothing about) and that I had given my self a great deal of Liberty to talk of his affairs with his Clerks in comeing to his Warehouse when he was not there. I told him it was false, and illegible stated the whole conversation to him which was as follows. I went to their stores severall times but cou'd find neither of the Gentlemen there (If I may so call them) when I went in. the Clerks ask'd the favour of my Name I told them my Name. One of them directly Jumps up and said that you had use'd {Messrs} Harrison & Company very ill, and that you need not be affronted with them for finding Mr Gales goods. The goods which Mr Gale had, where not charged to him, but to {John} & John Amorey and the clerks ask'd divers other Questions which I gave some answers to. But afterward, seeing John Barnard who had used me so roughly (I believe I cou'd have beat the little Rascall had it not been for {William} Reeve {Esquire} who happen'd to be my only friend then in London who gave me some advice and to whom I am greatly Oblidged) Instead Sir of this little Rasscalls (John Barnard) settling with me according to your Letter, told me my Second bill was not Indorsed and Shew it me, and then Lay it down again. Upon which I Shew him their letter where in they had acknoledged the receipt of the Bill and that
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(seq. 2)
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they had honored it and held it at our disposall. I told him I did not care whether it was or not Indorsed. he then went on talking about his clerks and about you Sir. which made me very angry. and at the same time put a peice of paper into my hand & told me he had nothing more to say to me I like a fool being in a great passion took it put it my pockett and left him not very good natured you may be sure. After getting to my Lodging found it to be one of the Bills. Accepted the 12th of December 1767 I cou'd have went back again and broke the Little Rasscalls head. But I consulted Mr Reeve upon the Occassion (Mr Haley not being in Town) Mr Reeve told me that I cou'd not have made them pay Interest from their Acceptance of the 15th of July according to our letter from them. And that thirty days wou'd not be much. and perhaps I shou'd not want the money before he ^ (Mr Reeve) gave me a few Lin [Loss due to seal] to send them. a copy of which Inclose to you Sir since Which George Haley {Esquire} has come to Town from Bath with his Family who have used me with the Utmost complisance I have dined with them three days out of Six. Mr Haleys Advice was the same with Mr Reeves. and said I had better not go to them again he wou'd take the bill and gett the money at the Expire ration of the time. But told me at the same time not to pay one farthing for postage of my Letters to them nor any Commissions for receiving and paying the Bills for he thought that the Interest was Equavalent — Mr Haley thinks that the Scheme which John Barnard Acted was planned by Harrison. So Sir I have not either seen Gilbert Harrison nor Samuell Spragg. to speak to them Neither do I intend to According to the Advice from Two very worthy Friends
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But I have left my bills with George Haley {Esquire} and am going into the country to purchace my goods and to draw upon Mr Haley for the Amount of my money. {William} Reeve {Esquire} & George Haley {Esquire} tells me I may have what goods I please. But I shall take care as to what Quantity. Mr Haley. tells me that he has settled the affair about the Lydia and that she will sail the 15th of February so that I hope to be home soon But Sir I am with the greatest Obligation and due submision and Regard Your Most Obedient most Humble Servant
William Cazneau
To John Hancock {Esquire} Merchant In Boston
{per} {Captain} Jenkins
(seq. 3)
{William} Cazneau Letter {December} 23. 1767
– L' – To
John Hancock {Esquire} Merchant In Boston
{Per} {Captain} Jenkins
(seq. 4)
250 CAZNEAU, William, a. l. s. 3 pp. folio, and address of John Hancock, who endorsed it: "Willm. Cazneau Letter Decer. 23, 1767," 3 pp folio, London, Dec. 23, 1767.
Cazneau's report of his reception as Hancock's agent by London correspondents, forms an interesting document, when it is remembered that about this period Hancock's sloop "Liberty" was seized for alleged invasion of the laws of trade, which caused a riot in Boston, when commissioners of customs fled for their lives.
" . . . I have waited upon them again and found only John Barnard at the Store who (when I gave him your letter) took with an air of disdain and gave it a fling upon his desk, and began to tell me of your affairs. . . . One of them . . . said that you had used Harrison & Company very ill and that you need not feel Affronted with them for finding Mr. Gale's goods. . . . But, seeing John Barnard had used me so roughly (I believe I could have beat the little Rascall had it not been for Wm. Reeve, Esq., my only friend then in London)," with other instances of the strained relations of Hancock with London merchants.
(seq. 5)
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