December 12th 1796

Dear Sir

If I had not very uncommon satisfaction in writing You the delay and uncertainty of our correspondence would deter Me. I have had no answer to my very long and particular Letter of July per Packet asking your opinion about the concerns of our Estate in Maryland. I wrote by a ship to your Province from Liverpool by which I sent a small Box containing some millinery for my dear Daughter which I carryd from London as if to refrain the fault of ommission I committed by not shipping it from that Place.. about Six weeks ago, I prevailed on my worthy young Friend M. Ludlow to forward four copies of a Pamphlet which I wrote last august when our affairs were at the Lowest. If the Protest of Ld. [ ] villains should get to your hands you will perceive that He coincides with Me almost verbatim ---- If appeared 2 or 3 Weeks before M. Burks excellent work but certain it is that I had occupied some the strongest grounds which He has since so much better adorned ---- Some time after I was informed that Major General Simcoe was appointed Chief Governor or Commander in of Saint Domingo. I applied to attend Him to that Island to which indeed I was almost solely induced by my knowledge of the strength of his mind and the goodness of his Heart. He received with his accustomed goodness and seemed to apprehend that He could give nothing worthy my acceptance.

Some time after I received a Letter from [him] saying that If I would accompany Him He could procure Me about forty Shillings sterling (my half pay inclusion) whilst employed on that Service. My intended appointment is Muster Master General of the Colonial Troops ---- or perhaps Muster Master General. I accompany Him in the Janus Frigate. He has repeatedly expressed himself in very handsome terms of the confidence to which I am entitled. To say the truth, my dear Friend, I must imagine that I owe much of this attention to his Friendship for You and if I continue to deserve His protection it may lead, if Heaven presses his Life to something of much more valuable than 4 of per Day which as a Temporary affair I would not have been much inclined to receive. General Grey almost unknowing gave away Twenty or thirty thousand per annum to three French men by giving the case or guardianship of the requested Estates in Martinique.

Few Men have fewer [--ants] than my Self, but I fear not the Climate; I have an active mind and wish whilst Heaven preserves health to turn it some use for my dear Children and especially for my dearly beloved Grand Children. I need not entreat You to write by the very first opportunity to Your Friend General Simcoe. I know it will do much, very much good. If no opportunity occur from your province Get your Mercantile Friend to have it forwarded from the States. You may easily [?] that I shall lose no opportunity of writing You and You may assume My dear Daughter that as soon as conveniently can I shall not fail to supply Her with that(?) India articles. God be thanked We are all well here; and the Nation begins to feel her ancient spirit revive -- and a peace honourable and permanant or no peace is the word. Your B[torn - probably "Boy"] Jekyll turns out very well indeed(.) about Six weeks ago he embarked with 120 under his command for [Guesnsey?] where he is in very good humors with his Brother Officers and his German Recruits(.)

The Long depending [trial?] will speedily end to disadvantage In so much that it will probably take from each Legatee(?) 150 pounds however if things go to my expectation in St. Domingo such decision shall not affect you much. I have a Letter from our Surveyor(?) in Jamaica which proves the Court and Jury to have acted in a manner unworthy of Botany Bay Convicts ---- I mean to publish the trial tho' I am informed it would be a Libel ---- The Chancellers allows our cax(case?) is hard but says He cannot conect the Count in Jamaica(.) Give my best Compliments to Col. Ellygood(?) to Your good Sisters and to my Worthy Friend Judge Ludlow(.) I can only add at present that I ever am Your most faithful Friend and truly affectionate Father.

James Chalmers

SAUNDERS FAMILY PAPERS, Microfilm #165-166, Harriet Irving Library.