The Virginia Gazette

First, and even now (owing in some measure to this circumstance) my demands are far from being satisfied; add to this the uncommon hardship of being obliged to account for what I gained on the sales of Negroes, which I had purchased as a common bidder, at places where the sales were made at his particular desire. In that same September 24th he makes me break engagements I never made, rave when quite cool, insult the sheriff, I swear like himself, without provocation, and, in short, do many things which might well enough become him, but of which I think no man ever had, nor I hope ever shall have reason to accuse me. Were I to make use of such strange figures as he does in what do you call it of September 24th, I might reconcile the greatest contradictions, and even say that Mr. Benjamin Grymes is a man of modesty and truth. Now for his last advertisement, the cause of this address, there he is once more at confession that I purchased the furnace legally, I suppose, for he does not say to the contrary, yet he still keeps me (illegally) from possessing it, either from the timidity of affairs, or from some defect in our laws, which it would seem cannot put a man into possession of what he has fairly purchased, and in my case at a very dear rate too. But here comes the secret: He says I sold it to him. When, Mr. Grymes? Where, Sir, did I sell it to you? What did I get for it? Who is to pay me? What! no writings between us about a matter of such consequence, especially when you know I would not take your word for a shilling? The tale tells badly. He says he has it under hand; I challenge him to produce any letter of mine in which there is any thing (by any possible interpretation) than an offer, provided he would give me such security as I should like for fulfilling the terms to be agreed on. This he amused me with, but never produced. Indeed I imagine it was now out of his power, for confirmation of which see his letter of 29th September, 1769, annexed, and copied exactly from the original. Since then nothing has passed between us about the furnace except one letter of October 2d, to which I never made any answer, from this account of this bargain he says I made, and from the letter already referred to, I think it appears very plainly that, unless a man is bound by making an offer of any thing which is not accepted on the terms offered, I cannot be said to have sold the furnace to Mr. Grymes. But as this is an appeal to the unprejudiced, I leave it to them to determine how far I may be justly blamed, and how much I have been blamed unjustly.

WILLIAM CHAMPE.

Mr. Grymes's letter referred to.

Col. William Champe
SIR,
Sept. 29, 1769.

The expresses returned only last night from Col. Thornton, and, as I promised you should hear from me immediately, I now send my son with this, to whom I have given Col. Thornton's letter to Mr. Holladay and myself, which he will give you a sight of, upon his honour not to communicate the contents to any one. You will plainly see the inconsistencies between this and former letters laid before you, also the transactions last April court, in regard to your motion, when Col. Pendleton plead Col. Thornton's privilege, and Col. Tayloe had the direction of that affair. If you peruse the letters, I am to be chargeable; but, to convince the world of the mistake, I shall be ready to move off on notice. You will see I am not joined to call a meeting, but on comparing the two letters you will find what dependence there is, so that you can determine whether to trust to such a chance or procure a tenant, or look out for a market for the works. I should be glad to know if you will rent the furnace to my son to work up the stock we have provided, as it will be attended with great expenses to move it to Maryland. We have not been able to get men to do the needful yet, about making a wheel, putting in a hearth, repairing houses, &c. that the place is like a wreck; I wish you could see it. Being now entirely deserted by my pretended friends, I am at liberty to try to get security; but part of a sentence in Col. Thornton's letter to me seems to forbid it, so that I am in doubt what steps to take, and must remain so until I hear from you. I had rather rent to blow up this stock than ask any person to be my son's security, lest I should be refused, or censured by my creditors. I have done every thing on my part, to do justice to all my creditors, which I hope they will own, for my peace sake; and as I think you cannot reproach me justly, I hope you will be silent on that head, and not mention the indiscretion of others, who may shortly have more to answer for than the loss of my estate. I am your humble servant,
B. GRYMES.