USA > New York > Colonial records of the New York Chamber of Commerce, 1768-1784 : with historical and biographical sketches > Part 17
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It gives me no small concern that you should suppose I have been in the smallest respect inattentive to this service in the Arrangement of the King's Ships 183 under my command; because, since my return from Charlestown, the greater part of my Force hath been upon this Coast, and during my stay at Gardner's Bay 184 Frigates have not only been cruizing almost constantly off the Barr, but between Montock Point 185 and the Delaware.
As far as circumstances could permit since my leaving Gardner's Bay I have detached Cruizers off this part of the Coast. I am sorry to say it has not been in my power to Station a single Frigate for the protection of the Trade bound to Halifax, 186 a Post not inferior to any in America.
With respect to the protection of the Fishermen employed on the Banks of Shrewsbury for supplying your Market, I cannot help men- tioning to you that early after I took the Command on this Station I purchased a Vessel mounting Twelve Carriage Guns ; she was fitted out at a considerable expence ; I requested that the City would Man her, that I would pay the Men, and that her Services should never be
17
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NEW YORK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
diverted to any other purpose than giving such protection ; my offer was received with a strong degree of coolness and till now I have never had any further solicitations on the subject.
I am, Sir, Your most obedient
Humble Servant, M'T. ARBUTHNOT.
ISAAC Low, Esq., &c., &c.
WHEN a Report was ordered to be written and signed by the President.
SIR, I had the Honor of receiving, on the 5th Instant, Your Excel- lency's answer to the representations of the Chamber of Commerce relative to the requested Protection of the Trade of this Port which I took the first opportunity of laying before them.
It is with concern they find you have supposed any part of their Letter to imply a particular inattention in Your Excellency to this Service, as they flatter themselves no part of it will bear such Construction, nor was any- thing more distant from their Intention than to give cause of the least Offence.
They meant only to impart to Your Excellency their ideas of the Mode (never hitherto altogether adopted) of affording effectual Protection to this Port, submitting the result, as in duty bound, to Your Excellency's discre- tion and better judgement.
That it is not in Your Excellency's Power to afford all the Protection you wish to the Trade bound to Halifax as well as to this Port, we equally lament and although we would not draw a comparison between the two Ports in Point of Harbor for Large187 Ships, so neither can we suppose Your Excellency means to be understood that the one can bear the least competition with the other as to the Importance arising from the Value of Imports and Exports which renders the Port of New York so immediately and eminently the superior Object of Protection.
With regard to Your Excellency's Request to the City to Man a Vessel for the Protection of the Fishery on the Banks of Shrewsbury, the Chamber of Commerce beg leave to assure Your Excellency that no application was ever made to this Corporation upon that subject or in all probability they had taken it up with the same Zeal which they doubt not Your Excellency will admit they manifested to procure Volunteers for Manning His Majesty's Ships under your Command.
And if your Excellency will be so good as to furnish a proper Vessel with Provisions and Ammunition to protect the Fishermen on the Banks of
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Shrewsbury for the benefit of this Market, the Chamber of Commerce will cheerfully exert their endeavours and they doubt not they will be able in a short time not only to procure as many Men as Your Excellency may think sufficient for that purpose but also to raise Funds for paying them, provided protection from injuries can be granted by Your Excellency to the Men, and that they shall be discharged 188 as soon as the Fishing season is over.
NEW YORK, May 8th.
His Excell'y MARRIOTT ARBUTHNOT, Esq., Admiral, &c., &c.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE .- TUESDAY, 5th June, 1781.
PRESENT.
Isaac Low, President. Robert R. Waddel, Treasurer. Anthony Van Dam, Secretary.
William Walton,
Patrick McDavitt,
Oliver Templeton,
William Kenyon,
William Backhouse,
Fred. Rhinelander,
Andrew Kerr,
Augustus Vanhorne,
Gerrard Walton,
Alexander Wallace,
John Moore,
William Laight.
Fined for appearing after six o'clock :
John Miller,
William Pagan,
Edward Laight,
Isaac Low,
James Douglass,
Robert Alexander,
John Taylor,
David Seabury,
Vincent P. Ashfield,
Jacob Watson,
Samuel Donaldson,
Edward Goold,
Joshua Watson,
John Ponsonby,
Joseph Allicocke,
Hugh Wallace,
William Lowther,
John Tench.
Ordered-That Messrs. John McAdam, Edward Goold, William Pagan, Samuel Donaldson, John Ooth- out, Oliver Templeton, and William Ustick, be a Com- mittee untill the first Tuesday in July next, to hear and determine disputes between Parties submitting such to their determination, and that they report their proceedings to this Corporation.
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NEW YORK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
The COMMITTEE appointed to Audit the Treasurer's Account, reported :
WE, THE SUBSCRIBERS, being appointed to examine the Account of Robert Ross Waddel, Esqr., as Treasurer to the Corporation of the New York Chamber of Commerce, do report, that from the 8th June, 1780 to the 2nd May, 1781 the Treasurer has received on account of the Corporation, the Sum of Two Hundred Pounds, and paid away the Sum of One Hundred and Ninety-six Pounds, Four Shillings, and Four Pence, N. York currency, and that the Sum of Three Pounds, 15s. 8d, now remains in his hands, being the exact Ballance of the Cash Account, which on examining and comparing with the Vouchers for Payment therein charged, we do find to be just and True in every particular.
SAMUEL DONALDSON. ANDREW KERR. AUGUST'S VAN HORNE.
NEW YORK, 5th June, 1781.
The President communicated ADMIRAL ARBUTHNOT'S reply to his last LETTER, written by order of the Cham- ber, as follows :
ROYAL OAK, OFF SANDY HOOK, 27th May, 1781.
SIR,
I have received your Letter of the 8th Instant, in the name of the Corporation of the Chamber of Commerce.
I have taken such measures for the Protection of the Port of New York as are proportioned to the General and extensive scale of service by which I am to regulate my Conduct. It is to be understood that offence to his Majesty's enemies, as well as protection to the Loyal part of the Community, necessarily engages a degree of our consideration.
I shall always with pleasure bear testimony to the ready and cheer- full assistance which the City gave to the raising Volunteers, after the arrival of REAR ADMIRAL GRAVES,99 and I doubt not but the Zeal which operated so powerfully in that instance will be equally exerted on every other important occasion.
I have the honor to be, Sir, Your mo. obed't Hum'l Serv't,
M'T. ARBUTHNOT.
ISAAC Low, Esqr.,
President of the Chamber of Commerce, N. York.
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REGISTER OF PROCEEDINGS.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE .- TUESDAY, 3d July, 1781.
PRESENT.
Isaac Low, President.
Thomas Buchanan, Vice do.
Robert R. Waddel, Treasurer. Anthony Van Dam, Secretary.
William Walton,
James Douglass,
William Lowther,
William Laight,
John Moore,
John Miller, Jacob Watson,
Abraham Walton,
Gerrard Walton,
John McAdam.
Fined for appearing after six o'clock :
Vincent P. Ashfield,
Frederick Rhinelander,
Thomas Buchanan,
Oliver Templeton,
Isaac Low,
John Oothout,
Joshua Watson,
Robert R. Waddel,
Samuel Donaldson,
Richard Sharpe,
William Pagan,
John Murray,
Alexander Wallace,
Edward Goold.
A LETTER was communicated by the President from the Magistrates of Police with some Papers therein inclosed, respecting the ill practices of many of the Licenced Auctioneers, 189 whereupon the following Persons were appointed a Committee to report to this Corporation at an early day,-Oliver Templeton, Frederick Rhine- lander, John Murray, Joshua Watson, John Oothout.
Ordered-That Messrs. John Taylor, John Tench, Henry Brevoort, Daniel McCormick, William Laight, William Lowther, and Andrew Kerr, be a Committee untill the First Tuesday in August next, to hear and determine disputes between parties submitting such to their determination, and that they report their proceed- ings to this Corporation.
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NEW YORK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE .- THURSDAY, 19th July, 1781.
SPECIAL MEETING.
PRESENT.
Isaac Low, President.
Thomas Buchanan, Vice do. Anthony Van Dam, Secretary.
William Laight,
Joseph Allicocke,
Vincent P. Ashfield,
Hugh Wallace,
Daniel McCormick,
David Seabury,
John Murray,
Thomas Buchanan,
William Lowther,
William Hodgzard,
William Backhouse,
Andrew Kerr,
Alexander Wallace,
John Oothout,
Alexander Forteath,
John Miller,
Patrick McDavitt,
Richard Yates,
John Moore,
John Tench,
Augustus Van Horne,
Richard Sharpe,
Samuel Donaldson,
Isaac Low,
Frederick Rhinelander,
William Pagan,
Oliver Templeton.
The COMMITTEE appointed to report on the ill prac- tices of some of the Licenced Auctioneers, made the same, which being Read, was in the Words following :-
IN ORDER to remedy the Inconveniences and injuries to Trade, arising from the improper disposal of Goods at Public Vendue, and exposing Mer- chandise for sale on Stands in different parts of this City. It is the opinion of your Committee,
THAT ALL LICENCES heretofore issued to Vendue Masters be called in and new ones granted to them only who shall be recommended by the Chamber of Commerce.
THAT NO PEDLAR or Petty Chapman 190 be permitted to Hawk goods for sale or sell them at any Stands erected or to be erected for that purpose near the Market Places or in any of the Public Streets of this City.
THAT THE PROCLAMATION of the 12th January, 1779,191 be chiefly adhered to, and for every offence against the Same or the above further regulation,
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REGISTER OF PROCEEDINGS.
such offender shall incur a Penalty of One Hundred Pounds, one half of which to be appropriated for the use of the Poor of this City, and the other half for the benefit of the Informer.
OLIVER TEMPLETON. JOHN MURRAY. FRED'K RHINELANDER. JOHN OOTHOUT.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, 18th July, 1781.
And it being debated, when
THE CORPORATION of the Chamber of Commerce beg leave to recommend to the Magistrates of Police to en- force the Proclamation of the 12th January, 1779, and to call in the Lycences of all those Auctioneers who have transgressed the same which will effectually remedy the evils complained of in the MEMORIAL.
Messrs. Winthropr & Kemble,192 owners of the Ship Vigilant from Jamaica, demand freight from Mr. Augus- tus Van Horne for 20 hhds. sugar and 40 Puncheons of Rum, which being surveyed by the WARDENS 193 OF THE PORT, most of the Former were found washed out and Sea damaged, and some Rum Puncheons injured by dis- tress of weather, having met with a Gale of Wind in which she sprung a dangerous Leak, no fault being attrib- uted to the Stowage, yet Mr. Van Horne alledges that it is a hardship to pay freight for empty hhds.
The Bill of Lading being exhibited to the Corporation does express that £6 Ios sterling p. hh'd shall be paid for freight of the Sugars and £5 per hh'd for the Rum. Some part of the Latter was recd. by Mr. Van Horne before it was discovered that any of his Sugars were washed out, and debates arising on the propriety of the demand it was the opinion of the Chamber (except Mr. Lowther and Mr. Moore)-
That-The full freight of six Pounds ten Shillings Sterling for the Sugar hh'ds, and Five Pounds Sterling
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NEW YORK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
for the Rum is due notwithstanding that almost all the Sugar was washed out and some of the Rum-Puncheons injured or stove. 194
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE .- TUESDAY, 7th August, 1781.
PRESENT.
Isaac Low, President. Thomas Buchanan, Vice-President. Anthony Van Dam, Secretary.
William Lowther,
William Ustick,
Gerard Walton,
David Seabury,
Joshua Watson,
Oliver Templeton,
Alexander Forteath,
Isaac Low,
John Tench,
Joseph Allicocke,
John Moore,
Vincent P. Ashfield,
Daniel McCormick,
William Laight,
William Backhouse,
Patrick McDavitt,
James Douglass,
Thomas C. Williams,
Thomas Buchanan.
Ordered-That Messrs. Vincent P. Ashfield, Joshua Watson, Abraham Walton, Joseph Allicocke, John Ponsonby, David Seabury, and Harding Burnley, be a Committee untill the first Tuesday in September next, to hear and determine disputes between parties submitting such to their determination, and that they report their proceedings to this Corporation.
The COMMITTEE of last month complain to the Cham- ber at large that having been desired by the POLICE to adjust a dispute between Messrs. Banan & Burke com- plainants against Capt. Stone, that they had returned their opinion to the Police upon which the said Bannon very grossly insulted them, that they had Represented the same to the Magistrates of Police, eight days past, who had taken no notice thereof.
Ordered-That the President do write to the Ma-
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REGISTER OF PROCEEDINGS.
gistrates of Police, representing their surprise that no notice was taken of their Committee's complaint, and that unless the Committees can be protected from injurious treatment they will be under the necessity to decline the trouble of any future decisions.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE .- TUESDAY, 4th September, 1781.
PRESENT.
Isaac Low,
President.
Thomas Buchanan,
Vice do.
Robert R. Waddel,
Treasurer.
Anthony Van Dam, Secretary.
John Moore,
William Laight,
Vincent P. Ashfield,
William Backhouse,
William Kenyon,
Jacob Watson,
James Douglass,
David Seabury,
William Lowther,
Fred'k Rhinelander,
Andrew Kerr.
Fined for appearing after six o'clock :
August. Van Horne,
Samuel Donaldson,
Alexan'r Forteath,
Daniel McCormick,
Alexan'r Wallace,
John Murray,
Patrick McDavitt,
Abraham Walton,
Richard Yates,
John Tench,
Thomas C. Williams,
John Oathout,
Thomas Buchanan.
Mr. President reported that, in pursuance of the order of the Chamber, he had wrote to the Magistrates of Police, had received their Answer and a Letter from Mr. Bannon, which were ordered to be entered.
GENTLEMEN.
The Committee for the last Month have complained to the Chamber of Commerce that in consequence of having given their decision in a dis- pute between Messrs. Banan & Burke, complainants against Capt. Stone, the said Banan treated them with very gross insulting Language ; that they
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NEW YORK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
had represented the same to the Magistrates of Police more than a Week ago, and that no notice had been taken of it.
I am therefore directed by the Chamber of Commerce to express their surprise that no notice had been taken of their Committee's complaint by the Magistrates of Police, and at the same time to represent, that however the Monthly Committee may possibly have erred in their Judgement, no Individual can be justified in loading them with abusive or indecent Lan- guage. Unless therefore they can be protected from Licentious and in- jurious Treatment, and Delinquents punished for their offences against the Rules of propriety and Decorum, the Chamber must be under the necessity of declining the trouble of any further decisions.
SIR,
We are favored with yours of Wednesday last relative to the complaint of the Committee for the last Month against Mr. Bannon, and in answer must beg leave to inform you-That immediately on receiv'g the inclosed Letter we summoned Mr. Banan to appear before us to answer for his conduct ; he immediately came and confessed great concern for what had happened, and declared his willingness to wait on all the Gentlemen (Mr. Lowther excepted) and make a proper submission. The reason he alledged against making any apology to Mr. Lowther was, that Mr. Lowther had struck him without his ever having spoken to him. As this was confirmed to us we really thought there was good ground for his objection, as Mr. Lowther had taken his own satisfaction. Mr. Mathews informed Mr. Tench of what Mr. Banan had said, and expected to have had an Answer from that Gen- tleman whether anything more was required. Mr. Banan has called on MR. MATHEWS several times to know what he is to do, and is ready to make any concessions to the Committee (Mr. Lowther excepted). The great assistance the Police have received from the Chamber, which will be always acknowledged with the highest sense of gratitude, will induce them at all times to pay every attention to any representation from the Chamber, and to take every step in their power to have such persons as the Chamber may complain of brought to a proper sense of their Duty, and the great obligations they are under to the Chamber for their trouble and attendance. We are, with great respect, Sir,
Your most obed't and Hum'le Serv'ts, D. MATHEWS, Mayor.88 WM. WALTON,195 Magistr. of Police.
OFFICE OF POLICE, 14th August, 1781.
ISAAC Low, Esqr.
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REGISTER OF PROCEEDINGS.
SIR,
Mr. Burke, my partner, having bo't a parcell of Staves from a Mr. Stone, upon which contract he gave him as earnest £3. 4s., which he kept 24 Hours, and then came and offered 3 Guineas to be off of the bargain, which Mr. Burke refused, alledging very justly he was acting for other people as well as for himself, whereupon Mr. Stone returned the earnest ; in consequence we were obliged to Police him, and at my re- quest the Gentlemen of the Police submitted the decision to the Cham- ber of Commerce, who accordingly met and decided the matter in favor of Mr. Stone, wherein I am satisfied they have impartially given their opinion, from the evidence that came before them. I made it my busi- ness to see Mr. Tench, the Chairman of that Committee the Day fol- lowing, to request he would direct me to have a rehearing of this mat- ter, whereupon some conversation passed that I am sorry was construed into an insult to the Chamber of Commerce, which I assure you was never intended, as no man can hold that Body in greater esteem than I do ; and if I said anything on that Evening through Hate or Passion, I am sorry for it, and do now beg their Pardon : had they known me well they would not deem me capable of saying anything that would give offence to any man-particularly to a Body of respectable Men who meet at their own expense for the good of Trade and their fellow- Citizens. Therefore I hope they will suspend any resentment to me on that head, as they may be assured I am, with great respect, their and your most obedient hle. servant,
NEW YORK, 17th August, 1781.
OWEN BANAN.
Mr. ISAAC Low, President of the Chamber of Commerce.
Ordered-That Messrs. John Moore, William Hodg- zard, Gab'l H. Ludlow, James Douglass, Richard Yates, William Seton, and Alexander Forteath, be a Committee untill the first Tuesday in October next, to hear and determine Disputes between Parties submitting such to their determination, and that they report their proceedings to this Corporation.
Messrs. Thomas Charles Williams and Thomas Roy having submitted matters of disputed accounts to the Committee of last Month, who have decided thereon :
-
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NEW YORK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
It was debated whether the Chamber should or not take up the dispute, there being the following clause at the Foot of the Bond of submission :
"N. B .- This Penalty is understood that it does not exclude either party from appealing to the Chamber at large."
Resolved almost unanimously-That they will rehear the dispute.
The Parties being required to attend, and having exhibited their Accounts and Vouchers, which being read, and neither of them having any new matter to offer, It was
Resolved unanimously by this Corporation-That their Committee's opinion be confirmed in every part of it.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE .- TUESDAY, 2d October, 1781.
PRESENT.
Isaac Low, President.
Thomas Buchanan, Vice-Presid't.
Robert R. Waddel, Treasurer. Anthony Van Dam, Secretary.
John Moore,
James Douglass,
Vincent P. Ashfield,
Gerrard Walton,
Andrew Kerr,
Daniel McCormick,
Alexa'r Wallace,
John Murray,
John Miller,
Fred'k Rhinelander,
Thomas C. Williams,
Oliver Templeton,
Richard Sharpe,
David Seabury,
Joseph Allicocke,
Patrick McDavitt,
Jacob Watson,
William Lowther,
William Pagan.
MR. PRESIDENT communicated to the Chamber Copy of a Letter that he had written to the Superintendant- General on the indecent behaviour of Mr. Bannon, a Let- ter from the Superintendant, and one from Mr. Banon, which were read and ordered to be entered on the minutes as follows :
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REGISTER OF PROCEEDINGS.
SIR,
Inclosed you will be pleased to find, agreeable to your request the Letter from the Magistrates of Police, and another from Mr. (Banan) re- lative to the indecent and abusive Language from the latter to the Monthly Committee-The Offence having been given to the Committee, to those Members alone can concessions with propriety be made : and untill that was done, the Chamber of Commerce at large thought it incumbent on them, in justice to their Committee, to direct that no future decisions should be given.
This Resolution it was the duty of my Station to communicate to the Police, and that is the only Agency I have had in the matter.
I have the honor to be, Sir, &c., &c.,
ISAAC LOW.
The Hon'ble ANDREW ELLIOT, Esq.
2Ist Sept., 1781.
SIR,
NEW YORK, 2d October, 1781.
I beg to inclose the two Letters you was so good as to fa- vour me with, together with a Letter from Mr. Owen Banan to Mr. John Tench. Your delivering it will oblige me, it appearing calculated to answer the purpose for which it is intended.
As I was and still am of opinion that Mercantile disputes cannot be adjusted in a more proper or more equitable way than by a reference to respectable Merchants, it gave me great satisfaction when the method was so generally agreed to, and I flattered myself that, notwith- standing the trouble it gave individuals, that it would at least continue as long as I had any concern in the Superintendency. I shall be much concerned if these my Expectations should be disappointed. The present Juncture of Affairs 196 does not seem favorable for any new plans to be adopted. It has long been proposed (I hope Events are not dis- tant that may admit of a Trial) to revive at least such part of the civil Authority 197 by which Justice may be administered to the Community. Individuals will then be freed from the Burthen of adjusting Mercan- tile disputes, and I shall be relieved from a most fatiguing anxious situation. But I beg you will assure the Chamber of Commerce that in all situations I shall ever retain the highest sense of the Assistance and Support they have afforded me.
I am, with regard, Sir, Your most obed't, and most humble Serv't, ANDREW ELLIOT, Super't General.
ISAAC Low, Esq., Pres't Ch. of Commerce.
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NEW YORK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
SIR,
The satisfaction I have on enquiry that you have impar- tially decided on the matter in dispute between Mr. Stone and Mr. Burke (my partner) induces me to take this opportunity to assure you that the Conversation that passed, on the Evening following, twixt you and I was never intended as an insult to your decision on that head, and, if you think so, that I am sorry for it, and do now assure you (though a Stranger) no man can respect the Chamber of Commerce more than I do, from the Laudable purposes, I am informed, they meet on for the good order of Trade and the Convenience of their fel- low Citizens; therefore hope you will be kind enough to assure the Committee of your meeting of those my sentiments and that I am, with great respect, Theirs and your most obe't servant,
OWEN BANNON.
NEW YORK, October, 1781.
Mr. JOHN TENCH, President of a former Committee of the Cham- ber of Commerce.
And debates arising thereon whether the concession made by Mr. Banan is satisfactory or not,
Agreed-That it is satisfactory.
The Committee for last month, not having done any business, they are hereby appointed for the Present month and untill the first Tuesday in November next.
MR. PRESIDENT having communicated a Letter from the Hon'ble GEORGE K. ELPHINSTON, tt Commander of his MAJESTY's Ship WARWICK,198 Convoy to Troop Ships and private Merchantmen to Halifax and Quebec, repre- senting the Ill conduct of two of the Convoy belonging to this Port.
Ordered-That the President give the Thanks of this Corporation to CAPT. ELPHINSTON for the information therein : that CAPT. ELPHINSTON be requested to order the Copy of the Log Books for the further information of this Corporation, And that they may have his leave to publish his Letter.
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REGISTER OF PROCEEDINGS.
WARWICK, OFF NEW YORK, 28th Sept., 1781.
GENTLEMEN :
Some time ago His Majesty's Ship under my Command was ordered to protect a Fleet of Troop Ships to Quebec. About the time of sailing 199 many private traders applyed for Instruc- tions which were very readily granted, and every possible attention for their Security given. Yet, notwithstanding, two Brigs 200 belonging to this Port found means to quit the Convoy and are said to have been taken by the Rebels. I therefore think it incumbent on me to inform any gentlemen who may have insured any part of these Brigs that I have reason to suspect their Conduct and that any information that the Log Books of the WARWICK or GARLAND 201 can furnish is at the In- surer's 202 service.
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