Newyork and Philadelphia Barrel Staves £5.10 to £5.13.9. LANCHON FRÈRES ET CIE TO CHRISTOPHER CHAMPLIN1 L'Orient, 15 Mais, 1790. Sir, THE effect of our late glorious revolution, Operating on Commerce as well as politicks, and some material Changes having already taken place in consequence; We embrace this as a favorable moment to renew our respects, and acknowledgments, to our Correspondents at large, when we can have any interesting information to give them, as well concerning the general trade of the Kingdom, as what relates to this port in particular, whose superior Advantages justly entitle it to a preference over others, from its Vicinity to the main Ocean, the Convenience and safety of its harbour, and the trifling Charges Vessels are liable to on entry, as mentioned in our Price Current which we annex for your information and government. The Changes we have to announce are, The Suppression of our East India Company, The Abolition of the freedom of this Port, and, The first met with much Opposition, but was notwithstanding Decreed; so that the trade to India is now laid Open, to the general benefit of the Nation, and we think the particular advantage of this town, which, joining to its other Conveniences, that of having the proper Warehouses and offices compleatly established, and the face of that trade already turned towards it, must command a preference, and continue the fixed mart for the sale of East India Goods, 1 A printed circular letter. which we presume will be more reasonable in future than heretofore. The Abolition of the Freedom of this Port met with less Opposition, as it was a measure sought for by the inhabitants, who found it only served as an encouragement to smugling, to the prejudice of the fair Trader, whose intercourse with the rest of the Kingdom was restrained, as no article that once came into the town, could return by land, or be received at any other of our ports, without paying duties, as tho' the town were foreign; and here we must observe, lest an Idea should go abroad to the contrary, that the taking away this freedom does not at all prejudice our trade with America your Resident at our Court was consulted on the Business, and nothing being altered respecting the treaty of 1778, our intercourse with you will be carried on as usual, without any encrease of duties or Charges, the only difference is the Goods must now be as it were Bonded. The Emission of Government Notes, or Assignats as they are called, was to supply the want of the Circulation of Specie, which was either hoarded up by the monied people, or sent out of the Kingdom from interested Motives, to the great prejudice and even Stagnation of trade; the amount is limited to four hundred millions of livres, and they are so much preferable to Bank Notes, that they bear interest at the rate of 3 p. p. An. are equally transferable, being payable to Bearer, and are guarantied by, and to be paid from, a property of above eight hundred millions, late belonging to the Clergy, and wich is now on sale. Our illustrious National Assembly, to perfect the great work it has begun, has many other improvements in agitation, one in particular, to fix a common standard for Weights and Measures, in which the Cooperation of England is sought for; but these are the most interesting Changes that have as yet taken place; there is however another in the restrictions they laboured under, being taken off the Tanneries; Soap, and Starch manufactories, which tho, seemingly of little consequence to you, we mention, in the hope that it may encrease our Connection with your states, by Opening a new Branch of Commerce, in the exportation of Bark, Green-hides, Tallow, and Kelp, if those articles abound with you; it may also encrease the Consumption of Fish Oil, which, as well as Whale, are at present of very slow demand, owing to the quantities Imported last season, and every Port being over stocked, Whale bone is likewise slack from the same reason, but Pot and Pearl Ashes on the contrary are in high demand, nor can we get enough for the Consumption; Tabacco, Rice, Wheat, Flour, and good Ship timber are also good articles here, and we hope next season your flax seed will sell currently, as essays have been made this year, and the last; but your provisions, Pitch, Tar, or Turpentine, have not as yet recovered the disrepute they fell into by being badly made up, very foul, and short in weight. After this detail which we hope will not be unacceptable, it only remains for us to express the ardent wish we form, that in this new arrangement of things, and from the regulations which we understand are taking place in your Constitution; the result may insure the freedom and happiness of each, and perfectly cement the union of both Countries; in this wish, and one for your particular prosperity, with reiterated offers of service, to wich we beg leave to add those of our house in Havre, we remain truly and Sincerely, Sir, Your Obedient humble Servants, LANCHON FRÈRES ET CIE COMMITTEE ON CONVENTION Providence, January 12, 1790. 12 oClock A.M. Gentlemen, We have not as yet made a Lower house and are doubtfull wheather we shall 'till tomorrow. We are informed that Messrs. Haszard Champlin and Til. Almey of the Lower house, and Joseph Tweedy Esqr. of the Upper house, are not like to attend this Session. We think we can carry the Question for a Convention if the above Gentlemen attend in season; if not we are afraid all will be lost. We hope you will not omit any Exertions to get the above Gentlemen to come on so as to be hear on Thursday Forenoon; on which day we expect the important Question will be taken. We are Gentlemen with Esteem your most Humble Servants, Sir, Jaben Bowen To Messrs. Christopher Champlin and Geo. Gibbs. BENJAMIN BAILEY TO CHRISTOPHER CHAMPLIN Cape françois, February 13th, 1790. THIS will give you the earliest Information of my arrival which was on the 5th of this month, meeting with no material accident on my passage but had very hard Southerly winds. untill I past bermudas. on my arrival I enquired particular into the merchants characters here and found I could not connect myself with a better than the house of Forrest where I have accordingly fixed, giving him 5 per Cent on the Grose Sales of my Cargo. They have keept the duty on fish untill yesterday. I made matters very easy and did not enter a single fish but gave the Searchers six Joes to keep clear of [m]e. You would be surprized was you here to see how exceedingly the markets are fluctuated with Provisions, Beef and pork, in a particular manner with flour and fish. Not a Store but what is fill'd with those articles. There is about fifty Sail of american Vessels now lying here and others arriving daily. this day a Vessel arriv'd of the harbour with a load of flour, but I dont think she will come in. I have here inclos'd a price current as likewise a copy of what part of my Cargo is already sold. I am in hopes that flour and mackerel will be in better demand in a few days, and expect that molasses will fall from the present price it now sells for, as it begins to grow more plenty. I shall make the greatest dispatch I possibly can to get away from here, and shall write you more minutely of my departure by Capt. Hicks who sails in a fortnight for Newport while I remain, Sir, Your most Obedient Servant BEN: BAILEY P. S. Yesterday Capt. Read of Providence arriv'd from Martinico with part of his Cargo, who informs me that markets are much lower there than at Cape françois. I hurry'd the sales of my dry fish, more on account of the hogsheads being very damp, owing to the Staves being not season'd. Sir, BENJAMIN BAILEY TO CHRISTOPHER CHAMPLIN Cape françois, February 23d, 1790. THIS Comes by Capt. Bernard of Newyork, to advise you of my proceedings since I wrote by Capt. Simmons of Providence. I began my loading on the 20th of this month with 14 Hhds of molasses, purchased at 55 Souce per Velt delivered along side, on the 21st took in 30 Hhds. purchas'd at 52 Souce per Velt at the plantation, and shall continue to go on as fast as circumstances will admit of. The Goods of |