A series of letters to Director General Potts from Apothecary Andrew
Craigie, who was on a purchasing trip through New England, gives us an
interesting glimpse into the situation. On August 29, 1777, Craigie
wrote Potts from Springfield[106] that he had just arrived from
Wethersfield where he purchased 222 pounds of bark of excellent
quality. He saw it weighed and repacked, and left the necessary
instructions for shipment to Albany. Having heard that "a quantity of
Bark & other articles are arrived at some eastern ports" Craigie took
off for Boston where he wrote Potts on September 1 as follows:[107]
I wrote you from Springfield aquainting you that I had engaged 222
lb. Bark at the Price [L5 per pound] Mr. Livingston mentioned to
you; it being very dear induced me to engage a less quantity than
you proposed 'til I should make enquiry here. I find to my great
mortification that it is 40/[shillings] less than that in
Wethersfield. I wish we could get clear of that engagement, and at
least think some adjustment should be made as I am informed it cost
Mr. Livingston who bought it at publick sale only 3 Pounds at which
price I expect to engage 1 or 200 lb. tomorrow.... In the morning I
go to Cape Anne about 40 miles from this, after medicines that have
lately arrived....
Recalling Stringer's long absence of the previous year, Craigie
concluded:
I shall pay particular attention to, and if to be had, procure the
articles, but everything is very dear. I hope not to exceed the
time you have limited.
Craigie returned to Albany on September 20 and advised Potts that he
"succeeded in procuring medicines as expected" and that he had "on the
road 2 covered waggons of capital medicines &c."[108] The shipment
included 200 pounds of bark that Craigie bought at L3 a pound, and
waiting for him in Albany were also the 222 pounds of bark, for which
he was billed at L5 a pound plus L23/10 "Carting and Expenses."[109]
Payment had not been made by November 10,[110] nor was there any
evidence of an adjustment.
At the same time that Craigie was in Boston purchasing supplies for
the Northern Department, Apothecary Jonathan B. Cutting of the Middle
Department was also there, competing with him.[111] Furthermore,
several agents for the Congress (Thomas Cushing, Daniel Tillinghast,
and John Bradford) were purchasing drugs for the Continental Navy.
Greenleaf's ledger records that between January 23 and May 28 over
L500 worth of medicine chests and sundry medicines were sold to "The
United American States" for the Continental frigates _Boston_,
_Hancock_, _Providence_, and _Columbus_.
This competition among various branches of the army and navy led to a
brisk business in Boston. Druggists in nearby communities chanced the
British blockade to send supplies which they had on hand. For example,
Jonathan Waldo, an apothecary at Salem, Massachusetts, recorded in his
account book[112] on April 8, 1777, that "13 packages and 4 cases of
medicines are ship'd on Board the Sloop called the Two Brothers Saml
West Master. An Account and [illegible word] of Mr. Oliver Smith of
Boston Apothecary and to him consigned." Evidence of the war appears
in the footnote to the entry, however. It reads: "The cases are
unmarked being ship'd at Night. Error Excepted. Jon. Waldo."