The Virginia Gazette

A LETTER from John Ray, of New-York, to Peter Ennis, of Coleraine, in Ireland, Pedlar.

New-York, December 16, 1737

Dear Comrade, and loving Brother in Adversity,

Received two Letters from you, both in October last, and written by a Quaker, or some other Blockhead, neither written or subscribed by your own Hand; the other more sensible, and like yourself, and written with your own Hand, wherein you complain of for want of Monies.

I am sorry you have lived in such rigorous Slavery and Bondage: but indeed it seems to me as you loved to have it so, being you knew always where to find me, whom you knew was never backward to assist you upon all Occasions; and had you been as good as your Promise to me, at our last parting at Port Royall, and had come over the next Year you had been worth several hundred Pounds more than what I can now give you.

I am sorry you have married so far below your Birth and Breeding, and more sorry, that ever he or she should have come out James Park's Loins, that should represent me after my Decease: However, James Park, his Daughter, is come high and up Stairs to lie in a Marriage Bed with a Gentleman born, as you are, it's an Honour that never one of her Kindred ever enjoyed; yet I am hopeful and should be glad to hear it, and far more to assist, that her civil, modest, and sober Deportment, would in a great measure supply her want of Birth and Breeding. I am fully persuaded, that her Sanctity, being one of God's Elect true Blue Presbyterians, will supply all her other Wants to you; although not to me.

Yet, notwithstanding, I shall receive her, though not as James Park his Daughter, but as your Wife, whom in Conscience, Honour, Justice, and Equity, I am bound to use courteously, and do for.

I shall rejoice exceedingly, to see you and her here with your Children, whom while I live will take Care: if your Wife have as much Prudence and Grace, to behave herself Civilly and Discreetly to all, and then she can't fail in her Duty to me.

If these find you alive, fail not to come over the ensuing Spring; and if you be dead, send your Wife and Children, who shall be as welcome to me as yourself.

It's a low you only and at most, Five Pounds Sterling to rig us all out; one Coat, Waistcoat, and two Pair of Breeches of Country Cloth, for yourself, is sufficient: One suit of stuff for her with Linings, as you think fit, and your Children, in warm decent Clothes, but not fine.

Oh but I wish you all here, with the Skins, or without the Skins, for our Doctors would soon Skin you, and I could soon clothe you. Your Clothing here will alter the Property of both Stuff and Fashion, Muslins are cheaper here than with you, so let her buy none, but let her buy the finest Scotch Cambricks for Head Dresses, if she wants; and for a Cloak, or Hood, she wants neither, till she comes here; nor any Furniture whatsoever for a House, but only Bed-Blankets, bring what already, and buy as little as you can, for Linnen Clothing here are not so dear as Folk report with you: you may keep your Money and lay it out to better use than in Clothing. If your Wife has a good little Wheel, she may bring it: if not sell all, and let not your Father in Law and you strive about your old Pock, as Charles Lynn did with Henderson. Bring a Barrel of Oat Meal, with some hard baked Cakes among the Meal, which will keep long at Sea. Six Bottles of Brandy, four Bottles of Vinegar, to mix with your Water to drink, or soak your Bread in; some Senna and Prunes to boil, for to keep a loose Belly, for you will be costive at Sea: Be sure have the Seeds in the Meal for Sowan to drink or eat for Thirst, and depend not wholly upon the Ship for Provisions, although I persuade myself, you will not be scrimped, for Capt. Cross is my intimate Friend and Acquaintance, and will use you well on my Account, for he is one of the True Blues himself, and loves all them that are of that Stamp. Bring one Cheese with you, and what you leave at Sea, will not be lost. Before take one Bottle of White Wine, and buy some of the Herb of Peckery, and mix with it three or four Days, and take a little thereof, if you be troubled with the dry Gripes, which is common and ordinary at Sea; you will get one Ounce of it in Dublin for nine or ten Pence, which will mix two Bottles of Wine.

I think you may pass for two Sums and a half at the ward; but Capt. Cross has promised to allow you a little more than your due, but agree with him, what Sums you pass for, and before Witnesses that comes along with you, and be sure get under his Hand for it, and mind not what you are to pay, for I will pay it here, neither will he ask about it; but if you come with any other, agree with them upon a Month's Redemption, and wherever you Land, come straight to New-York to me, and call at Mr. James Henderson Doctor, where you will get a Letter, which will direct you to me wherever I am, if chance I be out of Town; but I advise if possible, to come with Capt. Cross, my intimate Friend and Acquaintance, and do all you can with all you know coming, to come with him.

I desire you may go to Dublin with other Chapmen, and buy with them such you want, and I write for; if you can get old Hone Stones that comes from Wales, buy none at Drogheda, but do all you can to get Hone Stones, and let as few know of it as you can. Buy two Athlone Hats, at two Shillings or thereby, one for you and one for me. Buy three Dozen of Childers Shoes, if at 4 s. a Dozen, or under; and twelve Stock of Cards, which are clean, and yet played with; you will get them at Mrs. McMunn's at Newgate, or in some Shop in Pill-Lane, at 1s. 6d. or 2 s. the Dozen; but see none wants any, open them and look full every Suit, for ours wanted some, and we lost that Pack altogether. Buy three Pieces of blue and white Tape; buy nothing else but what I write for and more or less of these Goods as you have Money; but forget not the Hone Stones, and Combs whatever you do. Buy also six Snuff Mills, Horn, and large, such as we used in Scotland, and see to get Corks for them, and a large Cork or two more. Get my best Respects to Mr. Lindsey, his Lady, and Family, his Advice take with you in all your Business; and to Mr. William Holmes, his Spouse, and Family. I doubt not, but both will do for you, and to her Father and Mother, in their Concerns, to all my old Comrades, Acquaintances, and to all that ask for me, not forgetting your Spouse, and Children, whom I commit to the Care and Protection of Almighty God: Which is all that presents from your own,
POSTSCRIPT.

SIR,

Received from Captain William Cross, Commander of a Schooner belonging to this Place, and bound for Belfast, five Moyders and eight Pistoles, all good Weight, and a Thirteen Pence Piece, which I have sent you by him, which is in all to you Fourteen Pounds Nineteen Shillings and Ten Penny Sterling; for which I took his Bond to procure your Receipt, if alive, or your Wife if you be dead, and either of the Receipts to be witnessed by David Lindsey, or William Holmes, or by both.

With the rest of the Money buy dozen of Walsh Hone-teens, we bought ours from one Forbes at the Sign of the Saw-Bodies in High Street, backward, Dublin, at twenty two pence per Dozen, and 24 Dozen of Horn Combs, great Teeth, thick Back'd, and good; agree with a Comb-maker and choose them yourself before they are made, and as you choose them cause him to make them, whereof two or three Dozen of Wig Combs, and a little wider in the Teeth: all bound Backs and green Horn: we bought ours at eleven Shillings the Gross, or eleven Pence the Dozen. Buy two or three Dozen of Dropped Hone Stones, as you best can. 10,000 Needles, one 100 No. 1. two 100 N. 2. two 100 N. 3. three 100 No. 4. and two 100 No. 5. in every Thousand, and none under 5. and make up every 1000 even and no otherwise, two 1000 N. 4. 500 No. 6. 300 No. 7. being in all 11,000; and see them made up very well, and choose them well, and cause him to oil the Papers, at least the Covers of them.

Buy also 200 of Darning Sack Needles, about 6d. the best at 2s. the 100, or a little more or less; enquire at the Warehouses and Shops for the Hone Stones, and take pains to get them, and give more if you want them, and choose the largest and the likeliest: Fail not to buy the new History of Scotland, Dedicated to the Countess of Granard: it will cost 2s. 2d. and see it be no mixed with Errors but a true Copy. Buy Six Quire of Ballads, all old ones, as the Babes in the Wood, Chevy Chase, but see the last Lines be The English freed. The Blackamoor, Montrose's Lines, Oft have I vow'd to Love, nor dare Love. Regard my Grief, Mischievous Melpomene, Young Filander, Macpherson, and sundry other old Songs: ask Confessions of Faith, at 7d. per piece, Ballads at 6d. a Quire. old Love Songs and others, as you think fit, no Question Books, for they will no sell here.

Buy six Psalm Books, at 5s. or 4s. 6d. the Dozen, with clean Print, Two Dozen of Fortune Books, and two Dozen of Story Books, or small Histories: we will get the little Books at Mrs Lawrence, near the old Bridge. Buy 3 Dozen of small Diaper black Galoon, and 3 Dozen of the same Red, written at 2s. 6d. or 3s. the Dozen. Buy 1000 Flemish Needles, mark'd with two Needles No, A. and see till I. I do not confine you to Prices. but see to get the above Goods, and buy one Packet of the best Corkers; and what Money ye have left, buy Eglins with it, and let them be white, smooth and some show, and as fine Threaded as ye can, and between 18d. and 2s. 6d. the Dozen, and some cheap Fringes: Mrs Mac Mullen at Newgate, will sort you for these Things honestly and take 12d. a Pound profit. Ye must enquire in Dublin of a Printer that will sell the Ballads at 6d. the Quire, for Mrs. Lawrence will not sell them so cheap. Buy a fine Quilted Night Cap for me, ye will get it for 18d. ye may two ordinary, but not the coarsest at 5d. or 6d. a piece. Ye may buy more Horn Combs, if ye please, for they sell well here, being much wanted. Buy half a piece of Scotch Cambrick, your Wife may use if she pleases, but it can be made for her better here: Do the best ye can, Get a Head to the Barrel, with a Lock or else bung a Chest, the Goods in a Box with a hanging Lock and Staple, and Cord it well. and when a Month at Sea, take the Box on Deck and Air the Goods now and then. I believe ye may want a little Pot at Sea to Cook-for yourselves, and also take something to Ease yourselves in and take Care of yourself when upon Deck, to obey Nature.

And now the Lord direct, guide, and preserve ye all, and give us a joyful meeting, Vale.

Yours once more, John Ray.