of Philadelphia, to be your agents there for any quantity of tea you
may please to consign them for sale, and which they will dispose of in
the best manner they can for the benefit of the Com^y on the following
terms:
The tea to be sold at two months prompt, to be paid for on delivery, and
the money to be paid at the exchange, which shall be current at that
time, into the Company's treasury within three months after it is
received from Philadelphia. Willing, Morris & Co. to be allowed 5 pr
cent. for commission, and 1 pr cent. for warehouse room and all other
charges, except freight & duty.
Messrs. Peter & John Berthon are ready to become joint securities with
us for Messrs. Willing, Morris & Co.
We are, very respectfully,
Your honors most obed^t humble servants,
ROBERTS, BAYNES & ROBERTS.
King's Arms Yard, July 8th, 1773.
To the Hon'ble the Com^tee &c., &c.
* * * * *
London, 8 July, 1773.
To the Hon'ble Committee of Warehouses.
Gentlemen:
We beg leave to recommend Messrs. James & Drinker, of Philadelphia, to
be one of your agents at the disposal of teas, which you may think
proper to send to Philadelphia, undertaking that they shall dispose of
such teas in no other manner than as you direct, on condition of your
allowing them 5 pr cent. for commission, for selling and making
remittance, and 1 pr cent. for truckage, warehouse rent or any charge
whatever; should any teas get damaged on board of ships, any expence
arising on them to be allowed by the Company. We do also engage, that in
two months after the prompt day, remittance in bills or specie, shall be
made to the Company, provided the teas are cleared, the specie to be at
the risk of the Company, they paying the charges attending it. We
further agree, that in case any bills are protested, we will pay the
Company the amount of them in two months after they become due. And we
are willing to enter into bond for the performance of the agreements,
provided the Directors think proper to allow the teas to be sent to any
other port, if the Pensilvanians refuse to admit the duty to be paid, or
to consume them in that country, in the latter case, our bond to be
void.
We are, &c., &c.,
PIGOU & BOOTH.
We beg leave to solicit the }
freight to Pensilvania. }
* * * * *
Gentlemen:
Having been informed that the Directors of the East India Company
propose shipping teas to some of the American Colonies, to be there sold
by agents on the Company's account, and as I apprehend South Carolina
may be fixed upon as one of them, I beg leave to propose Mr. Roger
Smith, of South Carolina, for whose solidity I am willing to become
responsible.
If the intended plan takes effect, and you do _give_ me the honor to
admit of my application, I shall be ready to attend you on the business
whenever you may be pleased to give me notice thereof. I have the honor
to be, gentlemen,
Your most obd^t h'ble serv^t
JOHN NUTT.
New Broad Street Buildings,
14^th July, 1773.
To the chairman and deputy chairman
of the Hon'ble East India Company.
* * * * *
Sirs:
We beg leave to tender you the services of Mr. Samuel Chollet, merchant,
in Charlestown, South Carolina, and Messrs. Hugh and Alexander
Wallace,[37] merchants, in New York, for the sale of such teas as you
may think proper to send there, being persons in every respect well
qualified to dispose of them to the best advantage.
We are willing to enter into such covenants as may be required for the
security of the consignments & the remittances of the sales, on the same
terms as are to be granted to other houses on the Continent of America,
provided we are allowed a proper consideration for such guarantee.
We have the honor to be, sirs,
Your most obed^t hble. serv^ts.
BOURDIEU & CHOLLET.
Lime Street, July 15, 1773.
* * * * *
London, 15th July, 1773.
Gentlemen:
Hearing that you are going to appoint agents in America for the sale of
your teas, permit us to propose our partner, Mr. Daniel Stephenson, of
Blandensburgh, Maryland, as one (should you adopt this measure,) and we
flatter ourselves, that from his long residence & connexions in Virginia
& Maryland, in business, that he will be thought an eligible person, &
for his responsibility, we are ready to give the security of our house,
should he be appointed on the same terms as the other gentlemen. We
apprehend his present situation is well calculated for this measure,
being at a proper distance between New York & James River, & near the
centre of the Maryland business.
We are, respectfully, gentm^n your most odb^t servants,
GALE, FEARON & CO.
To the Committee of Warehouses.
* * * * *
Sir:
Upon considering the exportation of teas by the Company, having no
direction or power from our correspondents at Boston or New York, to
make terms, we decline offering any recommendation in the present state
of the affair, at the same time think our thanks are due to you, for
your readiness in attending to any propositions we might make. We are,
respectfully,
Your most ob^t serv^ts
DAVISON & NEWMAN.
Fenchurch Street, July 15, 1773.
Edw^d Wheeler, Esq^r deputy chairman.
* * * * *
Sir:
The Committee of Warehouses of the East India Company desire you will
meet them at this house, on Thursday next, at twelve o'clock at noon,
relative to the exportation of tea to America. I am, sir,
Your most obd^t serv^t
WM. SETTLE.
East India House, 17th July, 1773.
TO BROOK WATSON,
JONATHAN CLARKE,
FREDE'K PIGOU, Junr.,
GILBERT BARKLEY,
GEORGE BROWNE,
ROBERTS, BAYNES & ROBERTS,
MR. BERTHON,
WILLIAM KELLY,
GREENWOOD & HIGGINSON,
SAMUEL WHARTON,
JNO. BLACKBURN,
BENJN. HARRISON,
WALTER MANSELL,
JOHN NUTT,
DAVISON & NEWMAN,
BORDIEU & CHOLLETT,
GALE, FEARON & CO.
Gentlemen:
In consequence of my conversation this day, with the gentlemen of the
Committee of Warehouses, relative to the rate of exchange from Boston, I
beg leave to confirm the offer I made, of abiding by the standard
exchange of £133 6s. 8d. currency for £100 sterling, upon an allowance
of 2-1/2 pr cent., with the proviso of the intended exportation being
made by way of experiment, that is not exceeding 500 chests to Boston,
before the success thereof is known.
I am, gentlemen,
Your h'ble serv't,
WM. PALMER.
Devonshire Square, 22 July, 1773.
To the Hon'ble the Court of Directors, &c.
* * * * *
Sirs:
It is so perfectly contrary to all mercantile usage, to fix a certain
rate of exchange for commission business, that we must beg leave to
decline making any further proposals for your intended consignments to
New York and Carolina, because the revolutions in all exchanges cannot
be foreseen. We have known the New York exchange at 168 & 190, at
present it is 177-1/2, the par between Philadelphia and New York is, as
160 at the former, to 170-2/3 at the latter.
If you should hereafter adopt the regular and usual mercantile form--of
receiving your remittances at the current exchange of the place at the
time of remitting, we shall be obliged to you for your consignments to
Messrs. Hugh and Alexander Wallace, of New York, and Samuel Chollett, of
Charlestown, South Carolina, for whom we will become security for the
usual commission of guarantee of 2-1/2 pr cent.
We are, sirs,
Your most obd^t h'ble serv^ts
BOURDIEU & CHOLLET.
Lime Street, July 23^rd 1773.
* * * * *
Sir:
The Committee of Warehouses of the East India Company desire you will
meet them at this house tomorrow morning, at eleven o'clock, relative to
the exportation of tea to America.
I am, sir,
Your most obd^t servant,
WM. SETTLE.
East India House, 29^th July, 1773.
TO WALTER MANSELL,
WILLIAM PALMER,
BROOK WATSON,
JONATHAN CLARKE,
JOHN BLACKBURN,
FREDERICK PIGOU, Junr.,
WILLIAM KELLY,
SAMUEL WHARTON,
GILBERT BARKLEY,
GEORGE BROWNE.
* * * * *
Sir:
I am directed by the Comm^tee to acquaint you that the Court of
Directors of the E.I.C. have agreed to ship for _Boston_ three hundred
chests of tea, and consign to your correspondents an equal proportion
thereof, of which please to inform them.
Shall be obliged to you to acquaint me the firm of your correspondents
at _Boston_. I am, sir,
Your most hum. serv^t
WM. SETTLE.
East India House, 4^th Aug^t 1773.
TO JONATHAN CLARKE, }
WM. PALMER, } Esq^rs. Boston.
BROOKE WATSON, }
JOHN BLACKBURN, }
WM. KELLY, } Esq^rs. New York.
FRED'K PIGOU, Jun^r. }
GEO. BROWNE, }
GILBERT BARKLY, }
FRED'K PIGOU, } Esq^rs. Philadelphia.
SAM'L WHARTON, }
* * * * *
Sir:
At foot you have the firm of our correspondents at Boston, which we gave
into the Com^tee of Warehouses for partaking of the India Com^y's Tea
consignments, and for whom we are ready to give security.
Benj^m Faneuil, Jun^r, } Esq^rs of Boston,
Joshua Winslow, late of Nova Scotia, } jointly.
Security--Brook Watson, Rob^t Rashleigh,
Watson & Rashleigh.
London, 4^th Aug^t 1773.
Mr. Wm. Settle.
Security offered for Mr. Gilbert Barkly,--Wm. Ross, Esq^r.--No. 24
Austin Fryars.
* * * * *
Securities offered for Walter Mansell,--Henry Laurens, Fludyer Street,
Carolina Merchants; William Barrett, Old Palace Yard.
* * * * *
Sir:
The firm of the house I have recommended to the Court of Directors for
New York, is Pigou & Booth, and at Philadelphia, Messrs. James &
Drinker, as agents for the disposal of teas. I am, sir,
Your most hum. ser^t
FRED'K PIGOU, Jun^r
Mark Lane, 4 Aug^t
Mr. Wm. Settle.
* * * * *
Sir:
I was favored with your letter of yesterday, _last_ night _after_ ten
o'clock, acquainting me that the Court of Directors of the E.I.C. had
agreed to ship for Philadelphia six hundred chests of tea, and consign
to my correspondents an equal proportion thereof, you will be pleased to
inform the Directors that I gave notice to my brothers, Thomas & Isaac
Wharton, (the persons whom I recommended,) by the last night's New York
mail, of the resolution of the Court of Directors to ship the above
quantity of teas to Philadelphia. I am, sir,
Your most hum. serv't,
SAM'L WHARTON.
Argyle Street, Aug^t 5, 1773.
Mr. Wm. Settle.
* * * * *
Mr. Browne's compliments to Mr. Settle, and begs leave to inform him
that the address of the house at Philadelphia, whom he recommends for an
agent for the sale of tea, is Jonathan Browne, merchant, at
Philadelphia.
Aug^st 5, 1773.
* * * * *
Sir:
Last evening I had the pleasure to receive yours of yesterday,
mentioning the resolution of the Court of Directors of the Hon'ble East
India Company relative to the exportation of tea to New York, and
desiring me to acquaint you with the firm of my correspondent there,
which is Abraham Lott & Co. I am, sir,
Yours, &c.,
WILLIAM KELLY.
Crescent, 5^th Aug^t 1773.
Mr. Wm. Settle.
MR. PALMER'S OPINION IN WHAT MODE TO SHIP TEA TO AMERICA.
The Bohea tea to be taken out of what was refused by the buyers last
sale; but particular care to be taken that none under the degree of
middling, or good middling, nor any damaged chests are sent, to be
marked & invoiced, not according to the King's numbers, but the
Company's, to be reweighed, by thus marking them, each bed will be kept
separate, and there will not only be no pretence abroad for finding
fault, as from No. to No., will be exactly of the same quantity, having
been packed from the said heap or pile at Canton, and since examined in
England. But the taste of the Americans will also be better known, that
is, whether they prefer a fresh middling tea, provided it is not
absolutely faint, or a strong, rough tea. A certain quantity of each of
these kinds to be sent to each place, that either may not have the
advantage over the other, by having teas of a superior quality, their
respective qualities to be remarked in the invoices. A small assortment
of about a dozen or twenty small chests of Hyson, Souchong, Congou, and
each specie of Singlo tea, viz.: Twankey, Skin and First Sort, to be
sent to each place, with proper remarks thereon in the respective
invoices, each of these species to be taken out of some bed or break of
teas now laid down, or intended so to be, for next September sale,
regard being had to their respective qualities, and to be taken out of
such beds or breaks, which shall be sufficiently large, not only to
supply each Colony with its quantity, but also to leave a considerable
part thereof to be sold at the ensuing sale, by which means the Company
may hereafter compare the prices to the same parcel of tea sells for,
not only at each Colony, but also at their own sales, which can no
otherwise be done, as each of these species, going under the same
general denomination of Hyson, Souchong, Congo and Singlo, vary almost
100 pr cent. in the price they sell for, according to quality, & not 10
pr cent. in the purchase.
As it would be a great object with the Company to introduce, if
possible, the consumption of Singlo tea into America, that being a kind
of tea which spoils by age, much more than Bohea, and also that of which
they are much more considerably overloaded with, and further, such an
introduction would have this advantage also, that the foreign countries
could not soon rival us, not being themselves importers of any
considerable quantity of this specie of tea. It should be recommended to
the agents, to endeavour all they can, at such introduction, which it is
conceived may be brought about, at least in some degree, from the
experience of the consumption here in England, which will appear to have
constantly gained ground proportionally, as its price at the Company's
sales has approached nearer to Bohea tea, and in the present situation
of this branch of the Company's trade, it might easily be made appear,
it would be for their advantage, even to sell it in America, at the
quoted price of Bohea, by which means they might be relieved from the
disagreeable alternative of selling it here under prime cost, or keeping
a greater quantity unsold in their warehouses, until it is spoiled by
age.
London, Aug^t 5^th 1773.
St. Paul's Churchyard, N^o. 55.
Sir:
I am favored with yours of yesterday's date, and agreeable to your
request, I shall immediately communicate the information therein
contained, to Richard Clarke, Esqr., & Sons, Merchants, in Boston, New
England, which is the house with which I am connected, and who I flatter
myself will acquit themselves of the trust the Hon'ble the Court of
Directors have been pleased to repose in them.
I would also beg leave to solicit part of the freight of the tea for a
vessel which I shall possibly have ready in ten days, provided it will
agree with the time you propose to ship them.
I am, sir,
Your most hum. serv^t
JONATHAN CLARKE.
Mr. Wm. Settle, 17^th Aug^t
Wm., Cap^t Joseph Royal
Loring, will be ready in 5 days.
* * * * *
Sir:
The Committee of Warehouses desire you will inform them whether you have
a constant trader to Boston or South Carolina ready to sail, as the East
India Com^y intend to export teas to both those Colonies, and are
desirous of giving you the preference of the freight.
I am, sir,
Your most obedi^t ser^t
WM. SETTLE.
East India House, 5^th Aug^t 1773.
To George Hayley, Esq^r.
Thos. Lane, Esq^r.
Alex. Champion, Esq^r.
* * * * *
Sir:
The deputy chairman of the East India Com^y desires you would point out
to the Com^tee of Warehouses what sorts of tea and quantity of each are,
in your opinion, proper to be sent to Boston & South Carolina, to make
up to the former of those places, an export equal to 300 large chests of
Bohea tea, and the latter a quantity equal to 200 large chests Bohea.
Mr. Holbrook says if you can be with him this morning, you will expedite
his business very much, as the Com^tee have directed him to make ready
for shipping immediately.
I am, sir,
Your most hum. serv^t
WM. SETTLE.
East India House, 6^th Aug^t 1773.
Mr. Wm. Settle.
MR. PALMER'S ASSORTMENT OF TEAS FOR AMERICA.
So. New
Boston. Carolina. York. Philadelphia. Total.
Bohea, l. ch^ts. 268 182 568 568 1586
Congo, sm^l d^o. 20 10 20 20 70
Singlo, d^o. 80 50 80 80 290
Hyson, d^o. 20 10 20 20 70
Souchong, d^o. 10 5 10 10 35
WEIGHT OF TEA EXPORTED TO AMERICA.
lbs.
Bohea, 562,421
Singlo, 22,546
Hyson, 5,285
Souchong, 2,392
Congou, 6,015
------
Total lbs., 598,659
The Hayley, James Scott, is now ready to sail, & I mean to dispatch her
15^th Aug^t. The Dartmouth, James Hall,[38] will be here about 14 days
longer. These two are constant traders to Boston.
I have no connection with the Carolina trade, but I understand the
London, Curling, belonging to Greenwood & Higginson, is now ready for
sailing, and is a constant trader. Mr. Settle will please to inform the
Com^tee of the above & thereby oblige,
His humble servant,
GEORGE HAYLEY.
East India H^o 10 Aug^t 1773.
* * * * *
TO GREY COOPER, Esq^r., or JN^O. ROBINSON, Esq^r.
Sir:
By order of the Court of Directors of the United East India Comp^y, I
transmit you the enclosed petition, with their request that you will be
pleased to lay the same before the Right Hon'ble the Lords Commissioners
of the Treasury.
I am, very respectfully, sir,
Your most obed^t & hum. ser^t
PETER MITCHELL, Sec^y.
* * * * *
TO THE RIGHT HON'BLE THE LORDS COMMISSIONERS OF HIS MAJESTY'S TREASURY.
_The humble Petition of the United Company of Merchants of England
trading to the East Indies._
_Sheweth:_
That by an Act passed in the last session of Parliament, it is among
other things enacted, "That it shall and may be lawful for the
Commissioners of his Majesty's treasury, or any three or more of them,
or the High Treasurer for the time being, to grant a licence or licences
to the said United Company, to take out of their warehouses such
quantity or quantities of tea as the said Commissioners of the Treasury,
or any three or more of them, or the High Treasurer for the time being,
shall think fit, without the same having been exposed to sale in this
kingdom, and to export such tea to any of the British colonies or
plantations in America, or to foreign parts discharged from the payment
of any of the customs or duties whatsoever."
That the said United Com^ny have agreed to export to the British
colonies or plantations in America a quantity of teas, equal in weight
to 1700 large chests of Bohea tea, which quantity will not in the whole
exceed six hundred thousand pounds weight. And your petitioner having in
the affidavit hereunto annexed shewed unto your lords^ps that after the
taking out of their warehouses the said quantities of teas so intended
to be exported, that there will be left remaining in the warehouses of
the said United Company a quantity of tea not less than ten millions of
pounds weight, as by the said Act is directed.
Your petitioners therefore pray your lordships to grant them a licence
to take out of their warehouses the quantities of teas above mentioned,
not exceeding in the whole six hundred thousand pounds weight, without
the same having been exposed to sale in this kingdom, and to export such
tea discharged from the payment of any customs or duties whatsoever.
By order of the Court of Directors of the said Company.
P. MITCHELL, Sec^y.
East India Ho. 19^th April, 1773.
LICENCE TO EXPORT TEA.
After our hearty commendations. Whereas, the united company of merchants
of England trading to the East Indies, have, by the annexed petition,
humbly prayed us to grant them, in pursuance of an Act passed the last
session of Parliament, a licence to take out of their warehouses a
quantity of teas, equal in weight to one thousand seven hundred large
chests of Bohea tea, which quantity will not in the whole exceed six
hundred thousand pounds weight, without the same having been exposed to
sale in this kingdom, and to export such tea discharged from the payment
of any customs or duties whatsoever, to the British colonies or
plantations in America. And it appearing to us by the annexed affidavit,
that there will be left remaining in their warehouses a quantity of tea
not less than ten millions of pounds weight, as by the said Act is
provided and directed. Now we, having taken the said application and the
several matters and things therein set forth into our consideration, do
think fit to comply with the request of the said petitioners. And in
pursuance of the powers given unto us by the said Act, we do hereby
authorise, permit and grant licence to the said Company to take out of
their warehouses the said quantity of tea, not exceeding in the whole
six hundred thousand pounds weight, without the same having been exposed
to sale in this kingdom, and to export such teas discharged from the
payment of any customs or duties whatsoever, to any of the British
colonies or plantations in America. Nevertheless, you are therein to
take especial care, that all and every the rules, regulations &
restrictions and orders directed by the said recited Act, relating to
the exportation of such teas, or any ways concerning the same, be in
all and every respect fully obeyed and observed. And for so doing, this
shall be as well to you as to the said Company, and to all other
officers & persons whatsoever herein concerned, a sufficient warrant.
[Illustration: LORD NORTH.]
Given under our hands and seals at the Treasury Chambers, Whitehall, the
20^th day of August, one thousand seven hundred and seventy three; in
the thirteenth year of the reign of our sovereign lord, George the
Third, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, and so forth.
NORTH.
C. TOWNSHEND.
C.J. FOX.
To our very loving friends the Commissioners, for managing His Majesty's
Revenues of Customs and Excise, now and for the time being, and to all
other officers and persons herein concerned.
* * * * *
_East India Company, Licence to Export Teas_
Hon'ble Sirs:
We have the ship Eleanor, James Bruce, about 250 tons, (a constant
trader,) which we intend for Boston, and should be much obliged for the
freight of the teas you intend exporting to that place.
We have no ship bound to South Carolina, but are much obliged for the
preference given us. We are, sirs,
Your most h'ble sert^s.
LANE, SON & FRASER.
Nicholas Lane, 6^th Aug^st 1773.
The Hon'ble the Court of Directors, &c., &c.
John Dorrien, Esq^r. recommends for Boston, the Beaver, Capt^n Coffin.
* * * * *
Sir:
I wrote you under date of the 5^th inst^t that you would be pleased to
inform the Committee of Warehouses, whether you had a constant trader
ready to sail for Boston or South Carolina, but should have said to
Boston only. I am therefore to desire the favor of an answer whether you
have a constant trader ready for that colony.
I am, &c., &c.,
WM. SETTLE.
East India H^o. Aug^t 10, 1773.
Alex. Champion, Esq^r.
Sir:
In answer to your esteemed of the 5^th and 10^th current, am obliged by
the favor intended, but at present have only one ship under my care
bound to Boston, who will depart in a very few days, but she is not a
constant trader. It is not, therefore, in my power to accept of the
offer.
I am, sir,
Your most hum. serv^t.
ALEXANDER CHAMPION.
Bishopgate Street, Aug^t 10, 1773.
Mr. Wm. Settle.
Hon'ble Sir:
Being informed you have some teas to ship to America, I have now a
vessel, British built, burthen about 160 tons, which should be glad to
lett to your honors for the above purpose.
I am, with due regard, hon'ble sirs,
Your most obed^t servt^t,
THOS. WALTERS.
Carolina Coffee House,
Birchen Lane, 17^th Aug^t 1773.
The Elizabeth, John Scott, for any part of America.
To the Hon'ble Directors of
the East India Company.
* * * * *
Mr. Abraham Dupies, in Gracechurch Street, will become obligated for
Richard Clarke & Sons, of Boston.
* * * * *
Gentlemen:
I have a vessel in this port, which will be ready to return to America
in a few days, therefore take the opportunity to acquaint you that I am
willing to take on board her 600 chests of tea, either for New York or
Philadelphia, at the a customary freight given from hence to those
places.
I am, gentl^n your most hum. servant,
JOSEPH CABOT.
Threadneedle Street, 24 Aug^t 1773.
To the Hon'ble Committee of Warehouses.
London, Aug^t 26, 1773.
Sir:
We pray you to inform the Com^tee of Warehouses for the Hon'ble the East
India Company that we have a ship, _river built_, called the Nancy,
commanded by Captain Colville, compleately fitted and ready to receive
the tea for New York, which we beg leave to recommend to the Committee.
We are, sir,
Your most obedient and humble servants,
JOHN BLACKBURN.
PIGOU & BOOTH.
WM. KELLY & CO.
Mr. Wm. Settle.
Sir: