Chelsea 7th November 1798Dear Sir
Before We went to the sea Side in the beginning of August, We wrote You by the Packet also by a Ship of mr. Cummings, by which Ship We sent a Box containing various articles. On our return we were much mortified to learn that the ship in question never had sailed from Portsmouth having been detained for Convoy ---- it seems the convoy now only wait for a fair wind ---- but I shall despair of their arrival ---- the box contains a very valuable dressing Box for Mrs. S ---- a print from their Brother the Captain; a pair very elegant Bracelets from Mr. Stone; a Hat made by Miss Fanny with a [ ] of Flowers &c &c
By these Letters I hinted at the very unpleasant situation of our affairs in Maryland -- that Sm.(?) Chew had drawn on me for 245 pounds Sterling for Plantation expence incurred only for the last two Years altho' he admitted that upwards of 1100 pounds currency was due by the Tenants to one of which he had entirely without our privity agreed to give about 750 pounds for 200 acres of worn out Land laying betwist Peacocks & Randals and distant two miles from our premises -- on pretence of securing to us half that lump due to us by said Tenant. By this means He proposed to draw on us for upwards of 300 pounds Sterling which proposal I absolutely rejected because I considered that sum more than twice the value of the said 200 acres ---- My refusal it seems so much displeased Mr. Chew that He not only drew for the 245 pounds mentioned above but declared He would take no more concerns in our affairs. My Son strennuously advised Us to go for a Year or Two to Maryland to settle this matter and to endeavour to sell the property or if that cannot be effected to put it on such a footing as at least not to ruin us in debt -- [ ][ ] This We had really intended & afterwards to have passed a season with our dear children at Saunders, But the deplorable state of the United States must infallibly prevent us at least for one Year. Indeed if We had put our scheme in execution Mr. Storie who is a very respectable Person would have in every instance acted for Us as if We had been present.
I repeat, My dear Sir, that in the present lamentable state of America it would be suicide to go there ---- indeed We fervorly pray Almighty God that the terrible visitation may not extend to Your beloved province. Your letters down to July 28 have reached Me and given us the most sensible pleasure and I cannot sufficiently acknowledge the pains you have so kindly taken in our affairs. about 3 or 4 months ago I outlaid(?) on Mr. Staples who said He was not in cash & I replyd that payment of the 22 pounds would be perfectly satisfactory on any future occasion --- When your last letter arrived the 20 last month I waited on Him to tender such sum of money as would suffice to pay what was bills you had drawn on Him entirity. I say in the spirit of your letter of July 28th He very politely rejected my offer saying that you had writen handsomely to him offering to pay interest on any money He might advance; that therefore He would chearfully pay your drafts, at same time he insisted on my receiving the 22 pounds as ordered by your letter ---- Your Bill for one hundred pounds sterling drawn by Capt. Gill on Christie and Shaw is accepted and will be paid the 21st Insr. ---- I will purchase 2003 [ ] [ ] for You but it will be best to invest it in my name because in case You have occasion to draw for it, I can take it out without your power of attorney and I can also by so doing receive the Interest which I repeat cannot be done without your power. If You mean to continue it in the funds inform Me & I will transfer it & send the Receipt for the same. We are extremely anxious to receive your promised letter from St. Johns of September. Seeing We are much alarmed least the dreadfull scourge of the States should find its way to your Province. I shall endeavour to send you if in my power a Gardner next Spring. I fear My dear Friend my Bargain of Shedville(?) will eventually turn out a dear one.