Inhabitants experience, ought to excite our thanks to that Great Being, who gave us resolution to exchange at so early a period that melancholy Spot for that we now are enjoying. Your Dweling house I understand has sufer'd much. Your Neighbour Augustus Johnson 1 was found dead at his house. My Neighbour Gideon Sesson's Wife is crazy, and what I lament most, is, that the vertue of several of our Reputable Ladys has been attacked and sullied by our destructive Enemys, so much for poor Newport. Capt. Benj. Wright continues at Jamaica. his zeallous wishes to put me in possession of some part of the large property I have had lock'd up in his hands since the commencement of this war, led him to address me with three Vessels loaded on my sole and proper account, all which have been taken by our American Cruizers; the first falling in honest hands was delivered up to me by a reference agreed to by the parties. The other two were libelled and contested, one of them was adjudged at Providence to be restored to me: the opposite party appealed to Congress. The third and most valuable was (contrary to the opinion and expectation of every spectator) condemn'd at a Connecticut Court of Admiralty. I appeald to Congress, which has brought me here in full hopes of obtaining redress.2 Mrs. Wright was left porly at Newport, when Nurse Lee came away, which prevented Mrs. Wright coming off in the same Flagg, as she intended, but will do it soon, as she recovers.

I have oferd the poor distress'd Woman all the assistance in my power to grant her, as I esteeme her an object of real merit.

Now my Dear Friend I have only to add my sincere thanks for your kind invitation to spend a day or two with you at your habitation. I shall inform myself (not being acquainted where Exeter lays) and if I can anyways make it convenient to call on you, may expect to see me; meantime permit me to announce you and Mrs. Anthony every good

1 Augustus Johnson had been the royal Attorney General of the colony and had been burned in effigy in 1765. See Mason, Annals of Trinity Church, 106 n. 2 Journals, XIII. 162.

wish pure esteem can suggest being very truly, Dear Sir, Your affectionate Friend and humble Servant.

[Unsigned.]

Sir,

RICHARD MATTHEWSON TO CHRISTOPHER CHAMPLIN
East Greenwich, February 6th, 1779.

I AM Sorry to inform you of the Sloop Speedwell's being condemn'd by the Carpenters as unfit for the sea. Mr. Nightingale says he was never so much deceived before, when we purchased the vessel she lay in the mud with her hold full of ice. What part of her we could see was exceeding good, and Mr. Nightingale being acquainted with her before supposed there to be no Danger in purchasing her; and never found out that her Timber was rotten till she was hove out to grave.

He however thinks he can retail her out for as much as she cost us, as she has 2 good Cables and her other rigging very good. Colonel Nightingale, John Brown and myself have purchased a snow of about 160 Tons, well built, an excellent sailer, and if you choose you may have a part in her on good terms, to proceed on the same voyage. You will inform me what you will do within a day or two; otherwise I shall very likely dispose of her. I am Sir your very Humble Servant,

RICHARD MATTHEWSON

N. B. The Snow as she now is Cost 2500£.

MEETING OF COURT OF APPEALS1

If Mr. Paca, Mr. Ellery and Mr. Henry can attend a Court of Appeals this Even at seven oclock, parties are desirous of being heard, and the Court will meet accordingly. But it

1 Of the Continental Congress, for hearing prize causes. It probably relates to the petition of Aaron Lopez.

being five oclock before an application was made, Mr. Drayton being previously occupied will not be able to attend. W. H. DRAYTON

April 9, 1779.

DAVID LOPEZ, JR. TO AARON LOPEZ 1

Dear and Respected Sir,

Providence, 3d May, 1779.

WITH inexpressible pleasure I rec'd your most acceptable and pleasing favours of the 29th March and 12th Ulto. announcing the pleasing intilligence of your happy success in the recovery of your captured property from the hands of those voracious pirates, on which joyfull event, permit me most sincerly to felicitate you, and to add my hearty wishes, that you may ever be enabled to render futile the attempts of all such designing Villains. hope before this reaches Leicester, my Dearest Aunt may be render'd happy, and that joy may be diffused in the hearts of all our extensive familys, by your safe Arrivall to them in health.

My having engaged with Mr. Welcome Arnold to accompany him on a Speculating Journey to the Eastward, in order to improve some Moneys I have in my hands for my hon'd Uncle Jacob, prevents me the pleasure of paying you my Respects personally, and of participating in that joy which I proposed to myself in being among the first to bid you Welcome to the arms of your longing family. on my return I intend myself the happiness of kissing your hands, and of enjoying with you and our dear fam❜lys the approaching Festivalls. interim beg leave most respectfully to tender you and my Dear Aunt my most Cordiall Congratulations on your return and success.

Your favor per Capt. James Duncan with the draught you was pleased to advise having drawn on me in his favor, has not yet come to hand, nor have I been able to obtain any tidings of him, whenever he appears you may rely Sir, due

1 The original is in the Newport Historical Society.

attention and honor shall be observ'd in its punctuall discharge.

having adjusted and ballanc'd our Accounts to the 16th ulto. with the assistance of Mr. Mendes and Cousin Jos., have not since been enab'ld to make any remitances to Mr. Smith of Boston conformable to your orders, not being yet more in Cash, than to answer Capt. Duncan's Draught, and having advanc'd to Mr. Mendes while here £236.12. which sum be pleased to receive of him and note to our Credit in new Acct. Should you have occasion still to continue those orders, will with pleasure execute them as soon as in Cash, for which purpose request you'll please to advise me per first oppertunity for my goverment.

hope on examination our Acct. and Transactions for the year past may merit your approbation.

1

I have according to your orders, apply'd to Mr. Reynolds respecting the Deerskin Breeches etc. he says that his orders some time past were to make no further purchases on account of the Continent. but as they are now in great want and no supplys on hand, he expects daily to have those orders revoked, and then its probable he may have occasion, and will emediately advise me. good Indigo is not to be had here at present. Common is sold from 7 to 9 Dollars, and if none arrives soon I imagine a few Casks may answer very well. Goods of almost every kind are continually advancing, particularly those calculated for the summer. West India goods at present are rather at a stand, but wines in great demand and very high. when I [was] at Leicester, I purchaced a quarter cask of Cousin Joseph, which I have now engaged at 20 Dollars per Gallon, and make no doubt could obtain the same price for more of that kind. Shall esteem it a singular favor if you'll be pleased to request him to endeavor to forward it as soon as posible and to let the quality be as good as any there is on hand, as it is for the Gen'lls Table. Mr. Mendes promised to forward some

1 John Reynolds, "cloathier agent" for Rhode Island. See Journals, XII,

1006.

2 Sullivan.

Goods from Tafts Tavern for old Mr. Trevett which with the Wine and a bb. of Cosher Beef he engaged to send us may probably make a load sufficient to induce a Teamster to come down.

Mr. Jacobs and Capt. Sisson requests their Compliments of Congratulation may be made acceptable, which with a reiteration of my respectfull Salutations to your good self my Dear Aunt and family concludes me with the greatest defference and esteem, Dear Sir,

Your ever grate fall & obed Nephew, делумковія

Since closing the above have been handed a letter from Capt. Hathaway,' with the disagreeable advise of his being unfortunately captured and carried into Antigua, on his passage home 11 days out. as I conceive it needless to add to the loss by the expence of postage, and having no room in this, have inserted a Coppy of it in a letter I am just closing to my hon'd Uncle Jacob, for your perusall. by first direct opp'ty shall forward the orriginall.

Should you deliberate on forwarding any articles of bulk, this way, beg you'll be pleased to remember the privilidge I have of receiving goods to my private address.

[Endorsed, To Mr. A. L.,] Merchant, Leicester. To the Care of Jon'a Hastings Esq., Boston.

1 Probably Nathaniel Hathaway, who in 1781 commanded the letter of marque Hound.