Softcover
1771 · (London
by HAYLEY, George. (John Hancock)
(London, 1771. Softcover. Very Good. Autograph Letter Signed: "Hayley & Hopkins". Small quarto. 2pp., neatly written in ink on the first two pages of one folded sheet (bifolium) of laid paper. Datelined 11 May 1771. Includes a manuscript copy of a previously sent letter datelined "London, 27 April, 1771". Addressed on the final page "To John Hancock Esqr. at Boston". Docketed in ink above the address, likely by John Hancock: "Hayley & Hopkins, by Capt. White, 1771". Moderate toning, two small circular tears at left edge, two or three small splits along the old folds, very good. Hayley discusses the shipping status of some of Hancock's vessels as well as prices of goods:
[27 April 1771] "There has been no arrival from Boston since our last ... the above is Copy ... we have therefore now only to enclose *Paoli's* [one of Hancock's ships] Acct Freight ... being £86,3,2 ... is Placed to your Debit, as will also £198 ... for Cost of 6 pipes of Wine shipped on board *Cayneau* ..."
[11 May 1771] "... Smith & sons of Philadelphia may draw upon us for your Account. We hope your three vessels dispatched from hence this Spring are all safe arrived with you by this time & we beg leave to renew our assurances of the greatest Zeal for your Interest & that when your new Ship arrives we will do the very utmost in our power to dispatch her with a good freight ..."
The *Paoli* was one of Hancock's ships. About three years earlier, its more famous sister ship *Liberty*, was seized by Boston customs officials after they realized more pipes (one pipe equals four barrels) of wine had been unloaded than were listed on a tax document. Hancock was tried for smuggling but found not guilty. Hancock was indeed a smuggler, but probably not any more so than other colonial shipping merchants. Another of Hancock's ships was the *Hayley*, named in honor of the writer of this letter, George Hayley, an English champion of American business. It was Hayley who delivered the news to England that the Sons of Liberty had dumped the crown's tea into Boston Harbor during the famous Tea Party. Hayley was the brother-in-law of John Wilkes, the most outspoken supporter of the American cause in the Parliament.
An informative, well preserved historical letter documenting the commercial ties between American patriots and their supporters in England. (Inventory #: 583145)
[27 April 1771] "There has been no arrival from Boston since our last ... the above is Copy ... we have therefore now only to enclose *Paoli's* [one of Hancock's ships] Acct Freight ... being £86,3,2 ... is Placed to your Debit, as will also £198 ... for Cost of 6 pipes of Wine shipped on board *Cayneau* ..."
[11 May 1771] "... Smith & sons of Philadelphia may draw upon us for your Account. We hope your three vessels dispatched from hence this Spring are all safe arrived with you by this time & we beg leave to renew our assurances of the greatest Zeal for your Interest & that when your new Ship arrives we will do the very utmost in our power to dispatch her with a good freight ..."
The *Paoli* was one of Hancock's ships. About three years earlier, its more famous sister ship *Liberty*, was seized by Boston customs officials after they realized more pipes (one pipe equals four barrels) of wine had been unloaded than were listed on a tax document. Hancock was tried for smuggling but found not guilty. Hancock was indeed a smuggler, but probably not any more so than other colonial shipping merchants. Another of Hancock's ships was the *Hayley*, named in honor of the writer of this letter, George Hayley, an English champion of American business. It was Hayley who delivered the news to England that the Sons of Liberty had dumped the crown's tea into Boston Harbor during the famous Tea Party. Hayley was the brother-in-law of John Wilkes, the most outspoken supporter of the American cause in the Parliament.
An informative, well preserved historical letter documenting the commercial ties between American patriots and their supporters in England. (Inventory #: 583145)
(856) 456-8008
