St. Croix, Nov. 16, 1771.
In behalf of Mr. Nicholas Cruger, (who, by reason of a very ill
state of health, went from this to New-York, the 15th ult.,) I have
the pleasure to address you by the long-expected sloop Thunderbolt,
Capt. William Newton, owned by Messrs. Jacob Walton, John Harris, and
Nicholas Cruger, the latter of whom has written you fully concerning
her destination, which I need not repeat. She has on board besides a
parcel of lumber for yourself, sundry articles on account of her owners
as per inclosed bill of lading; and when you have disposed of them, you
will please to credit each partner for one third of the proceeds.
Mr. N. Cruger’s proportion of this, and the balance of your account
hitherto, will more than pay for his one third cost of her first cargo
up; and for the other two, I shall endeavor to place value in your
hands betimes. I only wish for a line from you to know what will best
answer.
Reports here represent matters in a very disagreeable light, with
regard to the Guarda Costas, which are said to swarm upon the coast;
but as you will be the best judge of what danger there might be, all is
submitted to your prudent direction.
Capt. Newton must arm with you, as he could not so conveniently do it
here. Give me leave to hint to you that you cannot be too particular
in your instructions to him. I think he seems to want experience in
such voyages. Messrs. Walton and John H. Cruger are to furnish you
themselves with their respective proportion of the cost of the several
cargoes.
The staves on board, if by any means convenient, I beg may be returned
by the sloop, they will command a good price here, and I suppose little
or nothing with you; could they be got at I would not send them down,
but they are stowed promiscuously among other things.
If convenient, please to deliver the hogsheads, now containing the
Indian meal, to the captain as water casks, and others should he want
them. I supplied him with twenty here. I must beg your reference to Mr.
Cruger’s last letter of the 2d ult. for other particulars.
Our crop will be very early, so that the utmost dispatch is necessary
to import three cargoes of mules in due time.