Gentlemen
This will be deliverd you by Capt.
Robert Tompkins in my Schooner the
Dunmore who brings you a Load of Donation wheat, corn & flour from
James River for the
poor of your City -- I referr you for
perticulars to the Letters he will Deliver you
from the several
Gentlemen who had the management of the Subscriptions for the different
Countys from which
this supply comes. The Charter party run for 20 [less?] days
here but the Gentlemen found so much
Inconvenience in the Collecting that she has been Detain'd near two months, however, the affair
being of so publick & very laudable a nature I
never thought of Damage, and hope it may
be some incitement for Dispatch with you The Gentlemen were willing the
Dunmore
might Discharge at
Salem, should there be any apprehention of her being froze up at
Boston
this may be thought but reasonable as had she meet with the dispatch expected
here she might
and would have been now on her inward passage -- The Captain has orders on you
for some freight
which coud not in time, be so conveniently made up
here has other moneys to lay out in your
Country - Rum - Molasses & ware it thought too much
I shoud venture to Recommend. Capt.
Tompkins being a Stranger, to your notice and advise in laying out his
money to the best
advantage in such of your Commodities as may at the time be most Reasonable
with you
; he has also a quantity of Butter to dispose of which I hope may come to a
saving market
A Report at this time prevails here, that men of warr are orderd to
be stationed at
New York
Pennylvania, here & so the Southward to prevent our
exports
I have for some time expected such a measure but still hope our
intilligence is premature
you may depend The Virginians are Unanimous, Steady & Firm to the Cause
they have
Embarkd in and will Struggle hard for the prize
now contending for I have this very day
heard that, in that Tract of
Virginia calld the
northern neck & which lys'twist
Rappa.
&
Potomock Rivers, they have lately
raisd. 1000 Volunteirs as fine fellows
& Good
George Washington a brave & Experienced officer whom it is said, has undertaken the Command
of them & that they are soon to march for your place Govenour Eadon of Maryland is just arrivd
with his Lady at annapolis from London & it seems has brought in some Tea with him I presume
for his own use, but that these Inhabitants will not lett him land it all this if true, you will soon have
in the papers probably before this reaches, Our Governour has at last concluded a peace with the
Several nations of Indians on our Frontiers & brought in Hostages, the Indians, in the Treaty
have ceded as much of their Lands as will sell to Reimburse the Expences of the Warr, thought
to be above (special character) 100 000, Our assembly stands prorouged to the 6th of February and will not meet
sooner unless any thing from beyond the water shoud occation it some ships lately arrivd
here having brought in goods they are all orderd to be stored agreeable to Association & a ship
from London who had only two half chests of Lyson Tea on bord was sent back again to
England in Ballast and the Tea thrown into York River I am with Respect --
Gentlemen --
Your most Obedient & very hble Servt.
William Black
Decemr. 22d. 1775
James River Virginia
To
The Honorable
Thomas Cushing Esqr.
Messrs. Adamss and Pain
P the Dunmore --
Capt. Robt. Tompkins
in
Boston