From what I have said, you'll know my meaning. The worst that can happen will be ordering the vessel with the goods for the West-Indies, providing it is not prudent to open them here; but by the time these goods arrive, I think there will be no danger. Indeed, were our circumstances easy at home, you might go the length of ten thousand pounds sterling value in goods. You would be at no loss for a scheme for a summer cargo; all kinds of linens, none above three shillings sterling per yard; some loaf sugar, value about five hundred pounds sterling of it; nails, from four-penny to twenty-penny; paints; linseed-oil. There ought to be one thousand pounds sterling value of osnaburgs of different kinds.

I think, by the time they arrive, there may be a chance of being able to supply the upper stores. By this, you see, your having the schemes for the upper stores in your hands, you'll not be at any great loss in sending out such goods as are there ordered, especially such as may sell in the West-Indies, in case matters are not cleverly settled here. But, by what I have seen already, I have a notion there will be a good chance of selling goods by the time they arrive.

By the enclosed papers you'll easily see what may be expected. There are above one thousand people already signed, in three days, from this and Princess-Anne County. I think I shall have no reflections cast on me by any of the country gentlemen, although my not going into violent measures, as many of our countrymen have, I find a party of them here is formed against me. His Excellency knows my reasons, and such as may be deemed prudent, because I informed him I act agreeably to your instructions. I think I stand well with his Lordship, and hope to render good offices to the distressed; this will be my study. His Lordship is a humane, good man, and will use as much lenity as in prudence may be necessary for the unfortunate.

I think you might pretend to order the goods for Antigua, for fear others may choose to ship as soon as you. Be pleased to order the vessel that belongs to ourselves, if they get a load of tobacco for France, to load great salt, providing you should soon hear of an accommodation being expected. Indeed, if a load of tobacco to any part of the Channel was got, I think you might order, in their return, to call at Liverpool and load salt; half of each cargo should be in good sacks.

On the whole, you'll be pleased to judge for yourselves. If we can go through with this scheme, I think it will do. I refer you to the papers enclosed for what may be expected soon.

I am for self & Co., gentlemen, yours, &c.,

NEIL JAMIESON.

P. S. Do not forget an assortment of sail-cloth, and twine; also, a few hogsheads of potatoes, if to be got on tolerable terms. Might fill up tierces with potatoes from Liverpool, provided it's not too late in the season.

N. J.

December 2d, 1775.

SIRS: I refer you to the above letter, which I hope will get safe to your hands. This letter goes under cover with some others, to Mr. James Anderson, at Boston, by a man-of-war's tender. I have sent, by this opportunity, to Mr. Anderson, Lord Dunmore's draft on the Commander-in-chief, at Boston, for five thousand pounds sterling, payable in a bill or tender, at three days sight. Mr. Anderson is to present the draft, and to take one bill from the Commander-in-chief, favour of Edward and Rene Payne, Esquires, London, for four thousand five hundred pounds sterling. As the bill will be at three days sight, it would be a pity to lose any time in having it presented and paid. They will advise you of this so soon as they receive it; so you'll order the disposal of it in such manner as you think proper. The other five hundred pounds sterling is to be laid out in goods for His Majesty, since I'm still of opinion the goods should be ordered out immediately on receipt of the above letter. By the time they receive them they will probably be in great demand, as there must be a number of troops and ships of war here by the time they arrive. But, at any rate, if any thing is to be done, it must be with the greatest despatch possible you can.

Send no strong beer. A few hogsheads porter would do, if good, and warranted sound. I have wrote Messrs. Paynes fully, and shall also write you some hereafter. Be pleased to take notice that there should be a quantity of shoes ordered with the goods. By mine of the 13th August, I advised you leather work of any kind would not do; but, as I find there will be a number of troops here, I think shoes of all kinds will be a good article. As a regiment of Negroes is raising here, coarse shoes, large and good, will be wanted.

I am, for self & Co., your obedient humble servant,

NEIL JAMIESON.

Messrs. Glassford, Gordon, Monteath & Co., Glasgow.

WALTER HATTON TO NATHANIEL COFFIN.

Norfolk, November 21, 1775,

DEAR SIR: I herewith transmit my accounts and lists of shipping for the three last quarters, which I would rather have done at the close of each quarter, but had not an opportunity of so doing; and in these lawless times I think it would have been very unsafe to trust letters by indifferent hands, as it is now, and has been some time past, an established rule to break open all letters either going from or directed to any officer in the service of the Crown. It was with difficulty, I will assure you, that I now am able to transmit them, as my going from Accomack to this place was opposed by upwards of three hundred people of the County, who will not allow any vessel to come to this place, for fear of supplying the ships of war and other troops with provision; and I will assure you that I am doubtful whether I may not be obliged to take a shelter in some of the ships, or at least on this side the bay, as I expect, during the confused usurpation of power, that an officer of the customs, if he only acts with spirit, or as his duty and oath binds him, that he will immediately fall under the lash of the damned Committees, &c., who, on such occasion, will show them as little mercy as they themselves may expect in the future world; and as I have on sundry occasions opposed their measures, and strove to convince the deluded people of their error, I have, by that means, rendered myself obnoxious to them, and no doubt if ever in their power, shall have their whole weight of vengeance laid on me. But while I am acting in favour of Government and my own steady principles, I make no doubt but I shall be able, with half their number, to meet them in the field; as I hold it to be an established point that those who fight, or take up arms against Government, are always in dread, and fight to great disadvantage, knowing that they are fighting against their sovereign, by whom alone they can hope for assistance against their real enemies, and who, out of his grace and favour, has offered them protection from all their foes, and who would be glad to see them return to their duty, and embrace the proffered grace. They know that the halter is round their necks, and if taken, (which they can do no less than expect,) that they are liable to be trussed up without any delay. Whilst the favourers of Government know the goodness of their cause, and the support that may at any time be given from the friends thereof, to assist them against all enemies, they also, no doubt, are assured that if they fall in so glorious and good cause, that they have done their duty, and may expect their reward in a future life.

You will be glad, no doubt, to hear out of so many enemies to Government that there are some who have courage, even in these hazardous times, to confess the lenient measures used by those in power, and who have sworn allegiance to their lawful sovereign; amongst which the inhabitants of Norfolk, Town and County, Portsmouth, Nansemond, &c., stand recorded to, I believe, three thousand and upwards. The late engagement at Kemp's, I believe, has been cause sufficient for numbers who have been constrained, to throw off the yoke and boldly to stand forth and confess themselves friends of Government; numbers having been forced to take up arms against their will, as has been proved since the late action. God send a happy conclusion to this bad beginning. How long I may stay among them here is uncertain, as I have a design to remove, and have a promise from those in power for a better place; I have reason to expect somewhat nearer you than this. My letters please direct to the care of Mr. Sprowle, Norfolk, (or Gosport rather,) who will forward them; and