159. (II, p. 65) to Mrs Rebecca [Lloyd] Anderson 9 January 1775
I now forward you enclosed two letters to Mrs [Anne Tasker] Ogle
[widow of Governor Ogle and mother of Mrs J. Anderson], one letter to
Mrs [James] Anderson and one to yourself which came addressed to my
care [from Maryland] and which I would have done myself the pleasure of
delivering in person was I not so deeply engaged with two ships that I have,
just arrived.
I have received two letters by Capt Love, one from Col Richard Lloyd,
the other from J[ames] Hollyday Esq [her brother and half-brother], both
of whom have consigned us tobacco per Love and they have requested me,
in case Mr Anderson was out of London, to sell the tobacco and deliver
you the proceeds. Col Lloyd has likewise remitted me Capt Love's bill of
exchange for £80 on Mr Anderson, which Mr Francis [acting for trustees of
creditors?] refuses to accept. On Capt Love's getting up [the river], I will
take care the bill shall be paid and then deliver it to you. In the meantime,
I will advance you any sum you shall want, either on the tobacco or bill,
till one is due or the other sold. I shall think myself happy if I can render
you, Mrs Ogle or Mrs [James] Anderson's family any service. . . .
P.S. I am this moment informed that Mrs Ogle lives at Chelsea and have
sent her letters to Col [Horatio] Sharpe.
160a. (II, pp. 135-6) to Col Richard Lloyd per the Nancy, Capt [James]
Buchanan 5 February 1775
We have now before us your kind favour of the 4 October handing us
Capt Love's draught on James Anderson for £80 and advising your having
addressed to us 4 hhds. tobacco on condition that Mr Anderson was not
in business at the time of the ship's arrival. The bill is accepted and shall
go to the credit of your account when in cash. Mr Anderson's business
being in confusion made it necessary for him to leave England [for Maryland] and put his affairs into the hands of trustees [for his creditors] before
the Richmond [Capt Love] arrived. Matters being thus circumstanced made
us determine to keep the tobacco and to sell it and apply the proceeds as
you requested and immediately informed Mrs [Rebecca] Anderson [James's
mother and R. Lloyd's sister] of our intentions. At the same time we offered
her any advance she should stand in need of, till the bill was in cash or the
tobacco sold which she assented to by letter from Mrs [Leliora] Anderson,
the wife of James. But, Sir, a few days brought us an account of her
[Rebecca's] death which put an end to all her wants and troubles.
We then thought you would have no objection to extend your bounty
to relieve the distress of the unhappy family and immediately we waited
on Miss Anderson [James's sister] with a tender of our services and an offer
to supply her with money, when she told us one hundred pounds would
enable her to inter the old lady as she could wish. This we immediately
advanced on your account and we hope will meet your approbation. The
balance which remains, when your tobacco is sold, shall be paid to her and
we hope that it will be eight or ten pounds more, but, should that and the
advance from your good friend J[ames] Hollyday [half-brother of R. Lloyd
and the late Mrs Anderson] be insufficient, we will readily assist them till
we have the pleasure of hearing from you again. We understand that Miss
Anderson is left by her mother's will joint executrix and that her estate is
to be equally divided amongst the children.
160b. We received under your cover sundry bills loading for tobacco on
board the Richmond, which we have not sold yet. But, this you may rest
assured of, the account sales will be such as not to disparage your kind
recommendation of us. We propose to send out Capt Love to load in Wye
River [Eastern Shore] for us, if those unhappy differences does not prevent
it. By him those [accounts of] sales shall go and we hope they will encourage
you to a continuance of your friendly assistance to us in forwarding his
dispatch and promoting our interest on your shore.
The French came to market last month at 2¾d. W. Molleson has contracted with them for 300 hhds. at that price and T. Eden & Co., 300 more.
We don't know how they are to make up their quantity unless it be out of
[Captains] Woolf and Coward and, if so, we have sold from an eighth to a
farthing higher than they have and expect for that in Love to get more, as
we are sure the price must be up still higher than it is. We must therefore
recommend to you to ship unless those Acts of Parliament should be repealed. In that case, don't refuse a good price in the country [Maryland],
for we are of an opinion it will be down here immediately on that happening. We have only to add our most sincere thanks for your friendship,
confidence and favours and to tender you our best services in assurance
that we will ever exert ourselves for your interest.