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William Snelgrave to Humphrey Morice—1 Aug 1719

Letters – William Snelgrave to Humphrey Morice—1 Aug 1719

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William Snelgrave, "William Snelgrave to Humphrey Morice," 1 Aug 1719, Humphrey Morice Papers of the Bank of England.

 

Hond. Sir

 

        My last was by the Queen Elizabeth informing of the sad misfortune befallen us in ye river Sieraleon by Pirates: The next day after she sailed Capt. Glynn & my self went amongst ye white people to demand ye goods given them by ye pirates, some where so just I believe as to deliver all they had, but others not only demanded salvage but believe they kept above half what they had recd, tho' I read to them ye act of parliament against piracy: so was obliged to take what they thought fitt to deliver up. Assoon as got ye goods all dried Capt. Glynn & I in ye presence of ye people as remain'd with me took an Inventory of all that was saved, consulting what might be best for ye interest and concluded  for ye reasons exprest on ye Inventory to ship them home but ye Captain would not take any Holland goods except brass; so was forc'd to leave those behind mention'd in ye paper sign'd by Mr. Robt. Glynn and Capt. Morris knowing there was no other ship: would not carry them under fivety pound which was obliged to comply with: Capt. Glynn propos'd to me to let him have as much goods as amounted to fivety pound sterling prime cost, wch. he would oblige himself to pay for in England or in ye country as you should please to chuse, wch. I complied with and hope you'll please to approve it, for indeed I had all ye assistance from him in his power. The Pirates haveing given me but one barrel of Irish beefe with one of flower, and 14 of ye people designing to go with me, I bought two ieirces of Irish beefe of Capt. James Nisbett (several being left onboard him wxh. ye pirates did not find out) but he would take no goods, so have presum'd to draw on you for eight pound sterling payable to him, relying on yr. goodness to pardon it. Wee sailed from Sieraleon y3 14th of May, having had a tedious passage of 11 weeks with many hardships, and arriv'd here yesterday, where had yr. most generous Letter from Mr. Cassamajor, and humbly beg leave to show my gratitude for so much goodness in saying 'tis unparoled considering how unfortunate I have been to you, 'tis not in ye least in my power to make any return only still to persevere in ye integrity I owe you and in my prayers to God for ye wellfare, Capt. Glyn was inform'd by ye postmaster an express was going last evening, & had but a minute to write a line wch. I fear was not sence; I mention'd in yt. by ye Queen Elizabeth 14 people design'd to come with me; there did but 10; two of wch. died in ye passage, and that presume to give ye rest 10 shillings a man to carry them to London, knowing full well nothing pleases you more than acts of humanity; Mr. Casamajor is extream kind to me, but that have no occasion to take any money haveing now Eight pounds of yrs. being part of what sold ye ships boats for at Sieraleon, this morning went to ye Custom house with him, but they would not allow liberty to Send the goods 'tell an order from London, wch. Mr. Casamajor will inform their reasons for: The ship will not be at key [or bay] 'tell monday; and will have ye goods then Examin'd onboard because ye wett they recd at Sieraleon (tho' well dried) may have occasion'd further damage.

 

The paper inclos'd No. 1 is ye inventory of goods saved wth. Capt. Glyn'[s] opinion about shiping them home.

No. 2 is accot. of Goods wch. Capt. Morris would not take onboard, wth. Mr. Robt Glyns rect. for them; a Copy of ye prizes to sell all & my instructions Left with him.

No. 3 is Capt. Glyns rect. for goods sold him.

No. 4 is acct. of what gave ye white & black people for working.

No. 5 is ye Invoice of goods shipt on ye Parnell Snow, in wch. there is no more goods of Holland then ye bras & Sheets.

No. 6 is accot. of goods recd from ye white people being part of the Inventory, but that leave tell I come to London informing how villanously most of them acted; There is likewise ye bill of ladeing from Capt. Moris. Before came to Seraleon did not deliver ye Cooper his goods because could not well come at ye cases, he told ye pirates what quantity he had, & as they pretend one reason for their villanies is to do justice to sailors, they bid him to throw as much as he would into Capt. Glyn's Sloop Chargeing me to let him have them, wch. I did afterwards upon his request as far as ye order, so here is likewise ye Letter to you wth. his rect. on it, and those goods have taken no notice of in ye Inventory.

 

My hope and comfort is yt. I shal appear to you to have acted with integrity and to ye best of my power in this unhappy accident, haveing had ye greatest proof of yt. goodness in not judgeing of things by ye success, I remain with ye deepest sence of gratitude Hond. Sr.

 

Bristoll August ye 1st 1719              Yr

                                Most Obedient Servt.

                                        Wm. Snelgrave

 

Shal wait yr. orders when you please to

Send for me to town; wch. if necessary

forthwith, ye 3rd. mate yt. is with me

can See ye goods Landed.

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