| Description | Letter to James Gordon of Letterfourie, London, from Daniel Henry Smith, Madeira, regarding bills, no letters from London, seven vessels from New York and Philadelphia in the last fortnight bringing flour, wheat, corn and rice, and more to come, too many goods now on the market, competitive pricing, bad news from America, ‘to everyone’s sorrow here the Hostilitys between the King’s Troops and Provincials have begun, the Relations in the American papers are confused and seem more adapted to inflame the minds of the people than to give a true account of the state of affairs or to conciliate the people to become good subjects … God grant peace that the differences may be settled so as may unite the Mother Country and Colonys for ever’, reflection on preparation of India wines, Bisset is buying wines early because he is worried about his business in America, ‘On Sunday last … dyed our mutual friend James Smart, they found him dead in his Bed, he had overloaded his stomach on Saturday with eating Lobster’, on the King’s birthday the Governor released all the noblemen he had banished, financial situation difficult, ‘In consequence of the Act of Parliament hindering the Americans to fish on the Banks of Newfoundland we shall be but badly provided with fish’, suggesting speculating on a cargo of herring, arranging further cargoes from Philadelphia, asking for lottery tickets, shipping wine to Grenada, order for hartshorn and black pepper, Mrs Duff still unwell, sending box of drugs to Tobago for Simon Fraser, list of bills, 18 June 1775; and a second letter added when shipping arrangements changed, shipping movements and letters received, arrival of Captain Lovell still anticipated and they need the staves he was to bring, no good malmsey available, ‘The apprehension of starving here on account of the disturbances in America I believe is one of the causes that Government here has not been very strict with the Azores people’, new Corregidor appointed whom they hope to train, quarrels amongst the merchants, most American vessels are currently going to Europe, 24 June 1775 |