Original Letters; Wm. and Mary Qrtly., Vol. 3, No. 1 Transcribed by Kathy Merrill for the USGenWeb Archives Special Collections Project ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net *********************************************************************** Original Letters William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, Vol. 3, No. 1. (Jul., 1874), pp. 13-18. ORIGINAL LETTERS. [LETTER(1) OF THE TRADERS TO VIRGINIA.] To the King's Most Excellent Majty and the Lords of his most Honoble Councill. The humble Petition of Divers Owners of Ships and Marchants, traders to Virginia and Maryland Sheweth. That, Whereas yor Maj Petrs are informed that some perticular persons, under the names of the traders in general to Virginia have endeavored to possesse yor Majty and this Honble table that it will Conduce much to the increase of yor Majtis Customes and advance of Trade that the Ships which are already gone and preparing to goe thither should not be permitted to separt thence untill the first of May next. It is Hubly propunded by the Petitioners hereunder written that the Contrary will appears if yor Majty and honrs will be pleased to weigh the reason here- unto annexd. Which duly considered yor Petrs with all humility implore yor Majtis favour and clemency towards them so to or- der that the Ships may returne thence according to the usuall manner which will not onely prove beneficiall to yor Majts owne interest But alsoe to the generall good of all Negotiants in that trade. ___________________ (1) From the State Paper Colonial Volume 16, Folio 103, [1662] Sept. 6. Page 14. And your Petrs shall ever pray Robert Vaulx(1) A. Stanford(3), John Catelyn, Christopher Johnson, Joshua Lasher, Sam Tilghman, John Wheatley, William Barrett, Wm Yapp, Rich Owen, William Wood, Tho: Dudley, Thomas Moss Rob Morris, Tho: Harwood, Richd Booth, Nicholas Jackson Stephen Barber Nathaniell Nicklethwaite, Humphrie Ley, John Meekes, Edward Witheirdge Y. Beane, Gerard Bucknor, Hum Levine, Thomas Webb, Isaac Allen, Edw: Ardenbrooke, W. Roasby, Rantford Waterhouse, Tho: Calvert, Mark Jarvis Ja: Holland, Richard Grassingham, John Runtinge Robert Hooker Job Nutt, John Stedhall, Tho: Harrison(2) Tho: Toukon. John Owen, Lewys Stockett. John Harris, ___________________________________ (1) Robert Vaulx, a leading merchant of London, m. Elizabeth Burwell, sister of Lewis Burwell. He owned Vaulx's Hall plantation on the west side of Queen's creek. His brothers Humphrey, Thomas and James came to the Colony. James Vaulx's son, Robert, sttled in Dorchester Co., Maryland. Robert's son, Robert, settled in Westmoreland Co. (County Records). (2) Capt. Thomas Harrison of Ratcliffe, Middlesex Co., Eng. (3) Hugh Stanford, who died in York Co., Va., 1657, was brother of Anthony Stanford of London, Merchant. (Ibid). Page 15. [JOHN PURVIS(1) TO WILLIAM PENN.] Virginia ye 21st May, 1684. Honol ffriend I have Recd thyne by ffowler who I have given what Possiable dispatch to you againe as wind & weather would pmitt doe hope these will find yr affaires as favourable To your enclynations. In ordr to yor Voyage home I have sent ye Best accommodation for yor Passage Downe as this Place can afford The navigation Beng Both Safe & easye &c. The 25th Instant I shall have all my Tobacco on Board and then in four or five dayes afterwards I shall be Readye to sayle however I purpose to stay God pmitting untill ye 10th June the most part of which time will be for thy Com- panie wch I request if you enclyne for England itt might Bee with what ex- spedition Possiable can be otherwayes the charge of my ship will growe heavie. The Lord Baltemore & his family Passt this River Mouth about six dayes sence in an English ffly boat Capt. Eveling Commandr and is now with The Lord of Effingham who is supposed will stay most part of this week there and then the first ffaire wind he sayles for England Please to excuse my ffaults and I shall always Remaine To bee yor obliged ffriend & Servt, JNO. PURVIS. Endorsed: To My Honol ffriend William Penn, Proprietor & Governor off Pensilvania psent [JAMES BLAIR TO PHILIP LUDWELL.] London, Jan. 5, 1704-5. Dear Brother: A few days ago, I received yours of Oct. 30, with the _______________________ (1) John Purvis was a prominent sea captain and trader to Virginia. Page 16. enclosed Memll. It consists so much of Generalls without any particular Instance that I fear little use can be made of it. We intend out of that and other late advices from Virginia to draw an abstract of N's late conduct, which will at least disprove a Report, which is industriously spread abroad that N. has by his late mild and good temper and conduct made all people easy. I hope by this time you have received what was sent by Mr. Wallace. Since that there is little news; only that it is in everybody's mouth that the government of Virga was to be given to my Lord Orkney. My Lord has been entertained with renewed promises, but the thing is not yet declared; some say the delay has been occasioned by some heats in Parliament, relating to Scotland, about the succession which are not yet quite over, but are likely to end in an offer of a Union to that king- dom; others think they are waiting to have Govr Nicholson's answers to all the papers and affidavits which were sent him from hence, via New York, about the beginning of July. It would be of great use if we could certainly learn that they are come to his hand, and that he shifts or delays the answer. As for my own opinion, if I were to venture a wager, it should be yt my Lord Orkney will be delcared Governor so soon as that * * business is over in Parliament; and there is not the least probability yt that will go well over in less than a month. If my Lo--- ---is official is by himself being a Lt. Generall in the army * * a very necessary man there. There have bene many who have put in to be Lt. Governor under him. It is most likely that Major Nott, Govr of Berwick, who married Govr Blackstone's sister, will be the man, and if he is, I hope we shall be very happy, for he has a good character in all respects as we can wish. It is most likely that the Virginia fleet will sail late, as not designing back till next spring. For further particulars I will referr you to Mr. Jaquelin, by whom this comes. My service to my Sister and blessing to the girles. I hear your father has bought for Page 17. you the plantation called the College, and you have a great Bargain of it, of which I wish you joy. If our hopes of Lord Orkney should fail we will do well to pursue the advice, sent by Mr. Wallace, which was to send home many affidavits concerning the Govnrs mal-administration as you can; though I hope the business will be done without them. My wife and all friends here are well except Mr Nathaniel Burwell, who was taken last Monday night with a great cold. This is what offers at present from Sir, yor most affectionate Brother and humble servant, JAMES BLAIR. For The Honourable Philip Ludwell, Esqr at his home in James City County, Virginia. per Mr Jaquelin, Janr 6, 1704-5. A LETTER of William Downman to his brother, "Mr. Raleigh Downman at Joseph Ball's Esqr in Stratford by bow, near London", dated "Virga Rappk, May 16, 1752", states that "his wife, mother and all ower friends are well"; "Miss Elizabeth Chichester & Mr William Glascock was married ye 7th of Febr last", has no offer for tobo as yet, but expects by June ye market will rise; thinks 17s. cash at 30 per cent is almost as good as 13s.p. Bills Exchange; his little boy Raleigh "is often talking about his uncle", "Majr George Glascock & Mrs. Sarah Chinn are dead. Michell Dillon got a fall from his horse and died"; "the exr of Hew Brent deced cant discharge his debt till you prove your account". "I was with Mrs Pinkard to know where our great grandfather Downman lived, and she told me she believed that he lived in Plymouth; if you git ye Coat-of-Arms do send me a seal of it"; "My wife joynes with me in Love to you and my sister, not forgiting our little nease". Page 18. [THOMAS JEFFERSON TO JAMES TAYLOR(1)] Washington, June 14th, 1801. Sir: Your favor of the 4th has been received, and yesterday the two pipes of Madeira last forwarded came to hand. They shall be paid for within the term proposed by Colo Newton. I must decline at present taking the other two mentioned to be still on hand, on account of the extraordinary expenses of out- fit on my coming into office and which engage all my resources private as well as public for some months to come. Accept my salutations and respects. TH. JEFFERSON JAMES TAYLOR, esq. __________________________________________ (1) Merchant of Norfolk. The tomb of his grandfather is in the yard of St. Paul's Church, and reads: Here Lies the Body of John Taylor, Merchant in Norfolk, Born in the Parish of Fintrie in the County of Stirling. Scotland in March 1694, And Died on the 25th Day of October, 1744, in the 51st Year of his Age. The arms on the tombstone are: A saltire engrailed, cantoned with a cinque- foil in chief and base, and a heart in each flank. Crest, a leopard holding in one paw a cinquefoil. Motto over the crest: Fide et Fiducia. John1 Taylor had son John2, who married Sarah, dau. of Col. Robert Tucker and Joanna, his wife. He was buried near his father. He had James3, born Dec. 14, 1771; mar. his first cousin Sarah Newton, June 11, 1800; was clerk of the Court and merchant, importer of wine, &c. Died June 7, 1826. Had Tazewell4, 3rd son, born in Norfolk, Jan. 30, 1810; educated at Georgetown College and the University of Va., a distinguished lawyer for forty years. He had Frederick S.5, late member of the Va. House of Delegates. In the "Calendar of State Papers" are published several letters of James3 Taylor.