| Description | Copy letter to James Gordon of Letterfourie, London, from Daniel Henry Smith, Madeira, explaining that as it is sent by a Dundee sloop via the Canaries he will not much trust to it, arrival of herrings, tea and brandy by the same sloop, arrival of rice from Carolina and wine sent in return ‘in defiance of their Patriotick resolves’, lots of shipping from various directions, island crowded which has raised the spirits of the Portuguese, Loughnan has given accommodation to their friend Captain Gordon but Gordon will not buy wine from him, list of wines shipped, arrival of new physician Dr Gordon, ‘Peters’s ship was near being burnt in this road, a Bottle of aqua fortis in a case shipt by Thomas Scott was broke and set fire to the Case and some things near it …’, list of wines shipped, 24 April 1775; letter to James Gordon of Letterfourie, London, from Daniel Henry Smith, Madeira, regarding the new doctor who is staying with Searle, delivery of flour, Spanish iron and steel, various correspondence, shipping wines, most of their herrings sold but not at a good price, hoping that affairs in America might soon be settled without bloodshed, taking care over an order that must stay for some time in the West Indies in painted casks, making the wines of a deep colour and a high flavour, having to buy in more wines to fulfil orders, prices still high, Loughnan and Bisset do deals that have no regard for the common good, and Murdoch and Ahmuty have been up to strange deals, too, keen to keep insuring cargoes, dealing with Samuel Pleasants in New York, trying to please customers as ‘the business of this island is on a precarious footing’, delivery of very high quality wheat, corn and flour, glad they settled on the same price as last year for wines, too early to speculate on the next vintage, balance of books, list of bills, arrival of Captain Duff and his wife, who has been ill, order for clothes to arrive later, 11 May 1775 |