Philada June 20th 1777
Sir
There is a Brigt called the Nancy & Molly commanded by Captn John Green that is our property altho she now appears in other Colours being registred at Pensacola in the Name of Mr Oliver Pollock of New Orleans who lately sent her with a Cargo of Lumber from the Mississippi to BBdos from whence she took a Freight to New York & by the Newspapers we find she is now there We suppose she will return to BBdos & in one of the enclosed Letters to Mr C[harles] Willing we have requested him to direct Captn Green to call on you in his Way down to the Mississippi for some Letters & orders for Mr Pollock C.W. Imagines this Vessell belongs to him & we expect will direct the Captn to comply with our request at least we hope so — We are not sure whether Captn Jno Green who commands this Vessell knows her to be ours or believes her to be the property of Mr Pollock but we do not like she should be continued in the way she is & wish to take her out of that Tract therefore when Captn Green calls on you try to find out his Political Sentiments (for we do not know him) if you find him against us We hope you may be authorized by the General to detain the Vessell & we hereby as owners invest you with full Power & authority so to do & engage to Indemnify you for so doing - Ifthe Captn is a Whig & knows us to be his owners this Authority may be unnecessary because he will no doubt consent to what we propose but if he refuses you must take the Vessel from him if possible
If you can sell this Brigt for 500 half Joes, do so & apply the Money in part payment of our Debt to Mr C.W. but if that cannot be obtained & you find Captn Green the right Sort of man for our purpose & willing to obey your orders you will in that case Ship onbd said Brigt a Quantity of Rum Sugar Molasses Coffee or of such Articles as you Judge most likely to sell well in Carolina or Georgia but I believe the latter would be the best place & Ship only such Value as you think will purchase a Cargo of Rice send her on as if bound for the Mississippi giving the Captn however a Certificate that she is our property both Vessell & Cargo consign her to Mr Peter Whiteside Mercht at Savannah or in his Absence to John Wereat Esqr at that place & if you chuse to take half this Vessell at 250 Half Joes & be half concerned in her Voyage we have no objection you must in either case order her back to you from Georgia with a Cargo of Rice & the Captn should be prepared & Instructed if met on his Passages to say always to British Cruizers that he is bound to or from the Mississippi to the Americans telling the truth
Shoud Captn Green be improper for this Voyage & these purposes you will drop him & find a more suitable Person — We find Mr Pollock remitted to C.W. a Cargo by this Brigt of the Value of £650 BBdos Money & perhaps her freigµt to & from N York may lodge as much more with him which may lessen his demand on us perhaps about 400 to 500 half Joes — We hope our R M's Concern with you may enable you to make a further payment & we have both given orders & are taking measures to make you remittances for the purpose of discharging our Debt to him & we still hope you may find Opportunity of drawing some Bills on us for the same Purpose & we hope to get clear of this very disagreable Affair with your Assistance in such reasonable time as will occasion C.W. as little Inconvenience as possible & remain Dr Sir [&c.]
Willing Morris & Co
(Copy)
1. Papers of William Bingham, Accession 2233, LC.