Jackson, Henry (1747-1809) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00412 Author/Creator: Jackson, Henry (1747-1809) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 5 August 1776 Pagination: 2 p. ; 33.8 x 21 cm. Order a Copy
Rebukes Knox for calling him a lazy scoundrel for not writing at every post. Discusses privateering news from a man named Captain White in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and provides an account of ships and cargo seized. Notes that the privateering has affected the price of sugar. Responds to Knox's suggestion of raising a regiment of artillery, but plans to write more on it in the future.
[draft]
Boston Aug 5th 1776
Friend Harry
I recd: your Favor of July 25th Yesterday the reason of my not answer'g it by the Last Post was that I was then at Portsmouth and did not return till yesterday afternoon - you are very Lazey or you are determined that I shall not be in your debt - for if any thing take's Place here that I cant write you. I am Certain of not recive'g a Letter by the next Post - If I don't write you every Post, it is because I am out of Town or Sick - Therefore I beg to hear no more of your Lazey Scoundrel - and I expect you'll write every Post wether your receive one from me or not - When I was Portsmouth a Gentleman cam ether from Casco Bay and brought an Acct. that Capt: White in a Privateer Sloop belong'g to Salem and owen'd by the Derbey's of Do - had take 6 West Indianmen and sent 2 of them in there - soam after Capt White came to Portsmouth himself and gave the Follow'g Acct - Ships taken
Ship Harliquin - 270Hhd Sugar - from Antigua
Ship Betsey ----------- 450 Do - from Antigua
Ship Amor ------------ 490 do 52 Pipes Madiara Wine from Grenada
Ship Mania ----------- 400 Do from Nevis -
1610 Hh Sugar -
Brig Fanny - 130 Hhd Rum from Antigua
Sloop Betsey - 150 - Do ---------- Do -
besides'd taken'g these he took a Large East Indiaman bound to Land on Light, in her Seamen of the Other Ships and let them go where they Please'd - there is four of the above Prizes Arriv'd
[2] every Privateman on board Capt: White will make a little Fortune - it is said that a Road Island Privateer was consern'd with him in taken tow of them - In consequince of these Ships being taken Sugar's has fell from 15 dolls: to 8 dollars:
I observe what you mention about the raising a new Rigt of Artillry - as I did not receive you Letter till last night I have not had time to think or mention it to any body - but have no doubts the many young Gentleman here that would jump at a [illegible] in a Rigt. of Artillry - I will mention it very caustiously and write you fully next Post - I'll refer you to Matter Bill who will give you particular Acct: of what we have done with the Tory's - I don't feel very well - and as I have no news I don't now what to write - Pray Excuse me -
from your friend
Henry Jackson
Collo Henry Knox
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