New London July 12th 1775
Gentlemen
Yesterday John Mackkibbin in the Sloop Black Joke with 10000 Gallons Melasses, 15 Thousand wt of Coffee, 26 Thousand of Sugar Sailed for Phila Capt [Edward] Chappell is on Board as a Pilote and I have given him Orders to take the Sugar and Coffee on Shore without paying the Duty's and if it Can be Avoided not to pay any for the Melases for I think its time to lay that Matter Aside for the present ー Beg youl have your Store in Readiness to Receive it, he Intends to leave the Vessell at Glossister Point & Come up and Advise you of her Arrival ー If she Arrives and Can Discharge her Cargoe, take in Another and Clear out before the 20th of July Inst for Hispaniola, I would have you putt on Board Three Hundred Barrels of Super Fine Flower and Some long Staves for Sugar Casks, & Sail for Hispaniola,2 if not would have her Come home in Ballast, for I think it will not Answer to Give Bonds to be Obliged to Sell in An English Island ー if you can get her a freight Should Rather take it then Return home in Ballast I think it will be best for my Interest to Let the Goods Remain in Store until they will Sell for their Value. Inclosed is a Letter for Capt Mackibbin which please to Deliver shall write you again by the Next Post, And Am &c.
Nathel Shaw Junr
1. Shaw Letter Book, YUL.
2. The Black Joke arrived in the Delaware prior to July 24, 1775, according to a Custom House entry in the Pennsylvania Gazette of that date.