Chapter XIII

    1798–1799

    THE year 1798 started off auspiciously for the Bingham speculation in Maine Lands. Alexander Baring was at last willing to draw up a definitive program for the development of the property, and a large-scale operation was apparently in the making. Early in January, Bingham, Baring, Cobb and Richards met in Philadelphia for what must have been prolonged discussions as to the best mode of advancing the Maine Lands. Knox was apparently not even invited; he was simply told what had been decided upon once the conference was over.245 To judge by his own account of this council of war, Baring assumed charge of the discussions and by humoring Bingham on small matters succeeded in getting his own way when it came to the really important decisions. In any event, by February a long and detailed plan of operations had been drawn up,246 and soon after its completion Cobb, Richards, and Baring set off for Boston to put the first part of the program into execution.

    This promising start was soon marred by a quarrel between Cobb and Bingham which developed out of an attempt on Cobb’s part to draw on Bingham for $1,000 as an advance on his annual salary. Bingham, weighed down by the heavy expenses of the new program—some $9,000 was expended by the agents in Boston prior to their departure down east—refused to accept the draft, and Cobb, in what Henry Jackson called a “mutiny,” refused to communicate with his employer for the remainder of 1798. This quarrel was eventually settled by Bingham’s backing down,247 but the absence of any letters between Bingham and Cobb from May to December, 1798, obscures what was actually going on in Maine. Bills and accounts in the Cobb Papers show that the schooner Betsy and Polly was purchased for $2,500 in April,248 that a large number of workmen were actually employed in the construction of roads and houses during the summer, and that a fairly elaborate store was opened at Gouldsborough. It is not until 1799, when Cobb stopped sulking in his tent and began to report to Bingham again, that a detailed account of the progress of the new program becomes available.

    Bingham and Knox continued to correspond regularly during 1798, but, as in the preceding year, their letters are for the most appeals from Bingham to Knox to pay his debts, and the latter’s evasive replies. If he could but sell fifty or sixty thousand acres of land in the Waldo Patent, Knox wrote, it would “render my heart as light as an humming bird”,249 or again, “My cup of credit is full. I may with a steady hand carry that which I now have, but any additional quantity would make it overflow.”250 As if he did not already have enough irons in the fire, the ever-optimistic General tried to get a contract to build two frigates at Thomaston for the federal government.251 When it came to paying his debts, however, Henry Knox proved a broken reed. Despite Bingham’s announcement that Alexander Baring was about to leave for Europe and would have to be paid, Knox did nothing but beg for time;252 and when, as a last resort, Baring drew on Knox for the amount due, the General simply returned the draft unpaid.253

    This year marks, to all intents and purposes, the exit of Henry Knox from the concern. There is an occasional exchange of letters between him and Bingham and him and Cobb in the next few years, but apparently the business men in Philadelphia considered the old soldier no longer worth bothering about. Knox was never, to the day of his death, able to pay his debt to Baring, not to mention some $40,000 he owed Bingham and his share in the expenses incurred in the development of the lands. It seems clear that Bingham, as a counter signatory of Knox’s note, had to pay Baring,254 in any event, shortly before he died, the General came to an agreement with the Bingham Trustees whereby all his debts to Bingham were cancelled in return for the relinquishment by him of any claim to the one third of the residuary profits on the Maine Lands to which he was entitled by his original agreement with Bingham.255 For all his optimism, good humor, and genuine friendliness, Henry Knox was so totally and tragically irresponsible in money matters that he proved but another burden for the Maine speculation to bear.

    Another reason why Bingham may not have spent more time on his land business in Maine was the marriage of his daughter Ann Louisa to Alexander Baring that summer. Deliberate in business matters, the young Englishman moved equally slowly in affairs of the heart. He had been a frequent visitor in the Bingham household for over two years and was apparently on the point of returning to Europe when he finally decided to make his proposal. Late in May Bingham wrote Knox that he had reason to suppose that Baring would not leave for Europe as early as planned, which may have meant that the question had already been popped.256 The original plan had been to hold the wedding at Lansdowne in October, but the yellow-fever epidemic in Philadelphia prompted the bride’s parents to hold it at their summer home, “Bellevue,” at Black Point on the Jersey coast; and there, on 23 August, the happy event took place.257 Bingham was delighted with the match, though he wrote to Knox that Baring had more worth than property.258 This marriage did much to solidify the commercial alliance between the Binghams and the Barings, and when, four years later, Bingham’s younger daughter, Maria, married Henry Baring, Alexander’s younger brother, the Bingham interest became to a large extent identified with that of the Barings.

    Early in 1799 Bingham wrote Knox that General Cobb “seems to have a most insuperable aversion to writing,”259 which was a natural conclusion to draw, considering that he had received no letters for about nine months. Soon after, however, he received a long report from his agent, and with the resumption of this correspondence, a pretty complete record of the concern’s activities becomes once again available. The documents for the year 1799, especially Cobb’s correspondence with his sub-agent at Union River, Donald Ross, show that some progress was being made in dealing with the lumber thieves. The Gouldsborough Packet continued to ply between Boston and Maine; new roads were cut; attempts at “hothouse” settlements were begun; and a lot of money was spent. But despite an occasional nibble from would-be purchasers of land,260 the great migration down east promised by Cobb and Knox failed to materialize. From Bingham’s point of view, it was all outgo and no income.

    The failure of the program which was to have boomed the lands of the Penobscot Million led Bingham, at about this time, to turn his attention more and more to the Kennebec tract. For some years settlers had been moving up the Kennebec River until they were now approaching the southern boundary of Bingham’s Million Acres, and it was reported that squatters were already settled on the property. Bingham was still anxious to sell this tract en masse if he could;261 but since there seemed to be little chance of success in achieving such a sale, it became necessary to consider what measures should be taken to prepare the land for settlers and to protect it from plunderers. From this year on, therefore, the focal point of operations begins to shift from the Penobscot tract to the Kennebec. If the program for the Penobscot Million was to be doomed to failure, perhaps something might be salvaged from the Kennebec property. Yet, as Bingham reviewed his Maine speculation at the end of the year 1799, there was little to encourage him, and it is not hard to understand why he was coming to think of his venture down east as one of the worst in which he had ever engaged.

    Baring to John Williams Hope, Philadelphia, 30 April 1798 [BaP]

    Philadelphia 30 April 1798

    My dear Sir,

    By the February packet I received your kind favor of the 7th of that month and was pleased to see my letters had got safe to hand. You were informed that Cobb was expected on from Gouldsboro’; he arrived shortly after and in the course of his residence here, our Maine speculation has been discussed in all its different details.

    As it was necessary however to put upon paper our plans and views, and not leave our directions on the vague foundation of irregular conversations, I drew up the inclosed remarks which were approved of by Mr. Bingham, and pleased both our agents.262 We talked over every point seperately and repeatedly and as nothing has since occurred to any of us which is not there explained and defined, we conceive every contingency provided for and this paper is to be their future guide and vade mecum. I wanted Bingham to make up a plan that in following it hereafter he might have the additional stimulus of its being his own offspring, but I could not bring him to it, and in fact his ideas were not organised. You will observe several corrections of no material consequence, and they were made chiefly to humour his opinions when he gave any. He is very much pleased with the whole and as you will observe, I have put it out of his power to clog our agents in details. I have no doubt but our plan will proceed smoothly and satisfactorily to the accomplishment of our object. You will perceive that I have avoided the necessity of a recurrence to Mr. B. on trivial points of direction, owing to his inability to attend to them. It is left entirely to the agents and they must judge for themselves. Cobb and Richards were very much pleased with the latitude of power, in which there is no possible danger, and I have rather said more of confidence and liberality than might otherwise have been necessary, that they might feel more bold and independent from the general propensity to diffidence on the part of our friend. From some expressions in your letters I rather apprehend that I have given a more unfavorable impression of Mr. B’s character as an associate in this business than I intended. I pointed out the weak parts to shew the necessity of guarding them and the means taken to effect it. They are not dangerous and I believe you will find them secured by our plan. I should enter into detail remarks on several small parts of this paper if I did not expect shortly to be able to do it more effectually in person, and shall therefore leave it for the present.

    As far as I can collect your wishes with respect to me from your letter, you appear to think my stay here this summer would be serviceable, but I believe you will alter your opinion when you see how clearly our future proceedings are laid down. The operations of this summer are commencing and nothing in the course of them can want any sort of interference, either of Mr. Bingham or myself. If such interference or personal attention should become necessary, it must be at a future period, when a greater maturity of our plan may give inducement to alterations which our agents might require our assistance in. I have therefore after mature consideration determined to follow my intention of returning in the course of a few weeks, and I need not add that I shall always be satisfied if you should choose to send me back again at any time or to any place. A day’s notice will put me in readiness for any part of the world you please,263 and at all events not above three months will be lost, if you wish me to return immediately. As to my projected trip to the West Indies, I can form no opinion of the time when it might be practicable, but whether I go from hence or Europe, it will not make a fortnights difference. But my strongest wish to return is to explain more minutely what I have been doing here, and to give you information which it would be impossible to give by correspondence. I should not like to go to the West Indies, where I might be detained some time, without seeing you, and upon reflection you will find the loss of time a trifle. These considerations have determined me to return, and as the earlier I now set out, the sooner I shall again be at your orders, I hope to follow this letter in less than a month, so that it will be useless to write me any more here.

    I went to Boston with Richards and left him there with Cobb, busy in procuring the several objects necessary for their departure. I have since received several letters from the former and conclude that they have ere this left Boston. They have procured the labourers wanted, but I do not yet know upon what terms. They have also purchased a schooner for our packet of 122 tons for 2,500 dollars, which is larger than we intended, but I suppose she was the best suited vessel they could procure. Black does very well and will be a useful subject.

    I have no further details to trouble you with at present, particularly as you will see me so shortly. I am waiting for Cobb’s arrival at Gouldsboro’ before I can close the account of additional disburses since the first purchase, against which you will recollect I drew last year £ 1,000 sterling. I shall of course settle them before my departure and then the new system of keeping accounts will commence.

    Land is rather a dead property in this country at present, among holders of large tracts, and is less actively operated in than at any time since I have been in the country. I conceive this the natural effect of two important causes; first, the failure of the great speculators, who contributed by their own operations to giving a fictitious value to what in many instances had none at all, and whose example has been a scarecrow to their neighbours; and secondly, that distress the commerce of the country labours under from the depredations of the French, which has straitened commercial capitals and consequently diminished that surplus part which is commonly invested in lands. I look upon both these causes as temporary and of short duration; and even expect beneficial effects from the first, when the country has a little recovered from the shock of the explosion. The speculative value of large tracts may vary and are exposed to be affected by similar occurrences, but there is an infallible increasing population in these states and consequent increasing cultivation of land which puts the real solid value of the article beyond the reach of almost any events, and the market is a certain one to those who can wait for it. The operation of gradually increasing settlements upon the value of the soil may be compared to that of the sinking fund upon the public debt of England in times of peace. It consumes slowly and regularly, creating a constant small demand, and a regularly progressive effect on the value of the remainder. An occasional appearance in the market of unexpected tracts which the means of the proprietors will not permit them to hold, like a new emission of stock, throws prices back, but in the case of land we have the satisfaction of being able to calculate the utmost possible extent of such apparitions. I inclose some calculations respecting the population of the United States and its territory which though not altogether correct are curious and worth attention.264

    I have not heard whether Talon has made any further negotiations. I should think it must be a good time for them in Europe at present, and he is a likely man to find out the proper characters. I understand formidable improvements are preparing on DeSmeth’s purchase, but of what nature I have not been able to learn. Morris is at last in prison, where Greenleaf has been some time; in the present state of things, I fear I shall not be able to sell off our Pensylvania lands for the mortgage, though there cannot be a shadow of doubt as to their ultimate abundant security.

    I shall at all events leave them in good hands, though it is not at all improbable that I may be able to make some eligible arrangement with them.

    The treatment of the American Commissioners at Paris together with the conduct of the French at sea, has excited a spirit of resentment in this country which was little expected and which nothing short of what has been done would have produced. Measures of defence are taking by sea and land, and resolutions and addresses approving the conduct of the Executive are pouring in from all parts of the country. A provisional army of 20,000 men is voted, with 3 frigates and 12 ships of 22 guns and under, for the protection of the coast and West India trade. This will probably be the extent of the exertions of this country and they will wait without any declaration of war until their ships meet or Talleyrand puts their ministers in the Temple. The majority of Federalists increases in Congress and I inclose a specimen of a good party speech from a New England member; in that part of the country they are all à cette hauteur, but Virginia is obstinately Jacobinical. An alien bill is talked of and will probably be brought forward before Congress rises. The majority of the present day are true disciples of Mr. Pitt and Mr. Burke, and what will probably surprize you from America, the voice of the people goes with them. I think the crisis does honor to the government of this country; the moderation evinced while peace was thought attainable and the spirit with which all classes have rallied round the government when it was no longer so are good omens of the practicable durability of its form and the efficiency of its executive. Adams is a man of rather dull genius and no popular talents so that the effect is due to no personal popularity, but rather the reverse. I would advise your reading the instructions to and dispatches from the Commissioners in France; they are printed in a pamphlet which with some others I will send you by some London ship. I gave Mr. Thornton,265 who went to England by last packet, an introduction to Mr. H. Hope; you will find him pleasant and well informed concerning the politics of this country. He knows nothing about lands in America. He has been the main spring of the British Embassy, which since Hammond’s departure (of which T. is a protégé) has been very well conducted. You must of course make allowance for diplomatic extremes and you will find him interesting. Before this reaches you I rather expect the long threatened attempt of invasion will have passed over, and though I have no apprehensions of its result in a military point of view, I dread the commercial and other confusion it must temporarily occasion. Pray believe me ever with the sincerest attachment and respect, my dear Sir,

    Your ever devoted humble servant

    Alexr. Baring

    John Williams Hope, Esquire

    Baring’s Project for the Settlement of Maine Lands, February, 1798 [BP]

    Proprietors of large uncultivated tracts of American lands speculate upon one or other of these two general principles. Either to resell in a mass to other speculators on the expectation of profit from the general advance of speculative prices. Or to force an additional and real value on the country by adding to the price of the land a further disburse for the purpose of opening its resources and improving it by actual settlement.

    With the tract of land in Maine between the Penobscot and Schoodic owned by Mr. Bingham and ourselves as a joint undivided property we purpose following the last mention’d plan and General Cobb and Mr. Richards having undertaken to carry it into execution by their joint efforts, it becomes necessary to state in general terms our ideas of the object we have in view, and to place the future management of this important concern on a permanent methodical plan, every thing which has till now been done having from necessity wanted that regular system which we now wish to establish. After serious reflection on the various plans follow’d and opinions I have been able to collect throughout this country I am convinc’d of the impossibility of laying down positive rules for an operation every branch of which is so speculative. No two tracts of land are alike in local position and what may be very good policy in Genessee or Pennsylvania may be very different in Maine. Much useful information may however be got from the experience of those who have conducted similar operations in different parts and we will endeavour as much as possible to profit by their lights and avoid their errors. As it regards our duty we have fulfill’d it by appointing two persons as agents in whom we have the most implicit confidence, and as the direction must be active and exposed to no delay it is from them that we must expect all detail’d plans which they must execute on their own judgement and to that effect it is our intention to invest them with the greatest latitude of power. New scenes will arise and new ideas occur as our agents become better acquainted with the country of which we from a want of local information shall not be able to judge and from our distance from the scene of action could not without inconvenience direct.

    On the part of the European concern Mr. Richards will have our power to act to the best of his judgement not only in all details of management but also in any extraordinary case where it may be necessary to decide with Mr. Bingham on any important point such as additional purchase of any important object or a sale of consequence etc. He will in fact take my place fully in as far as concerns this speculation and the confidence repos’d in him by all parties removes the inconvenience which would otherwise attend our absence most compleatly.

    Tho’ the agency of General Cobb and Mr. Richards have originated differently, it is understood that they will without further distinction unite their endeavours for our common benefit. They will arrange between them as circumstances render necessary their respective employment and consult together when requisite. Every question of no very great importance they will be obliged to decide between them as Mr. Bingham’s occupations and our absence will not permit a constant recurrence, the more so also as we should probably not be able to decide so well. In every case of need however they can trouble Mr. Bingham with whom they will of course correspond.

    No idea can be more erroneous than that money expended on improvements is thrown away because the identical object it is expended on is unproductive. I am on the contrary persuaded that the price of land is lost unless a sum is devoted to assist the settlement of it. We are aware that a disburse of magnitude is indispensable tho’ comparatively small to that of our object, and likewise that any thing short of a sufficiency woud be thrown away without any good effect. The exact medium between extravagance and parsimony is not easily hit at first; it must result from future experience. We know errors will be committed and are ready to make allowance for them, observing only as a general rule that the whole art in this business consists in producing the greatest possible effect by the smallest means. The value of land is rais’d by inducing settlers to come on and scattering them as much as possible thro’ the tract. The advantage our lands enjoy in this respect of surrounding settlements and easy access by water can leave no doubt of our succeeding in this, to almost any extent we please, to those who have view’d the progress of this operation in less favour’d countries.

    Everything that remains necessary is to open for emigrants a road into the very heart of the country, provide them with primary wants, assist them in the outset and force the first inland settlement by occasional residence. There can never be a want of hands when you are ready to give every applicant a good farm in a situation where he can find his way to a store and a mill.

    It is obvious that we shall never make any impression on the body of our lands as long as we confine our attention as we have hitherto done to the first range of townships. The great effect produc’d upon the Genesee was by a bold incursion into the center of the forest where the first settlement was forced and all the others follow’d of course. Our lands are infinitely more susceptible of the same operation as no one part of them is very distant from old settlements and water communication.

    I woud immediatly proceed on the following plan. Cut a road from Gouldsborough as strait as the nature of the country will allow to the upper townships. Whether this shall be done by contract or by hired labour we must leave our agents to determine as they think least expensive. The first road need not be very well finish’d but the wider the opening the better. If possible the country should be made immediatly accessible for waggons. When by means of the road and information of your surveyors, you can ascertain the local situation of the upper townships, fix on a spot on one of the Passadunky lakes or some other advantageous position on some river for a town; clear a few acres and lay it out attending to every circumstance necessary for this purpose such as water mill seat in the vicinity etc.; build a house or two; take up your residence in one and get a few persons to join you which you can easily do by promising them that the establishment will be supported and the country render’d inhabitable.

    Cut another road as soon as possible from your town to the Penobscot at such a spot as may be most adviseable, if possible below the falls. I rather think you will then find the interior of your country most accessible from the Penobscot and you will be able to judge what acquisitions on that river would be serviceable to us. Explore the Passadunky and the navigation of the lakes.

    By this time your operations will begin to attract attention. Sell a few farms round the town to settlers. Fix on your spot for your grist and saw mill, which I woud build as soon as convenient.

    You may fix on some spot for a village between your upper town and Gouldsbro’ either in No. 17, or by preference above it and get people to settle round it in proportion as characters present themselves.

    You may afterwards penetrate eastward towards the Schoodic from your main road and plant a small settlement somewhere in the East Division according to the information you may obtain of the country. Scattering settlements in opposite directions in the very heart of the country in the manner I have mention’d is absolutely the only mode of making the land valuable. They will afterwards spread without difficulty, and as I have witness’d this operation in a country which has none of our advantages I am certain of its practicability and of its effect. In every spot where you fix a town build a decent house for the proprietors in which either agent on going there can reside. Also a store and where necessary a mill.

    Some improvements should certainly precede all sales excepting in small parcels to real settlers for we should never get that price before them which we could afterwards obtain and no union of exertions can be expected in that stage of the business from partial purchasers. We know that thus far we have only disburse to look for but by the time you have made the progress I have stated applicants will appear from all quarters and you may then contract and engage in the manner which I shall hereafter state. I should think you will be able to make very considerable progress on this plan in the course of the ensuing summer and by taking care to have your operations sounded abroad you will at the end of it be able to sell some tracts for settlers to be brought from the old states the following spring and from that time forward your own immediate exertions will be less necessary and by proper encouragement and assistance to your settlers they will continue in a regular progression the improvement of the country by their own exertions under your superintendence so as to insure a growing advance to the price of your lands.

    Having stated the first steps which are necessary to be taken to bring our tract into notice and to force the first interior settlement which should precede all sales I shall proceed to give my ideas as they occur on the general and permanent plan to be afterwards pursued. Establish a Land Office at one of your residences where all applications and bargains are made. Here your books and papers must be kept. I should prefer this establishment to be in the new town as soon as possible for the purpose of helping its growth. Departments of the same must be afterwards establish’d in the Southern and Eastern Divisions for the facility of settlers. It will become necessary when you have made some progress to divide your tract into districts of direction according to local circumstances which we now know nothing about. According to the map I should think it could be best done by northern, southern, and eastern at your head quarters in each part. To each district one of the agents must make regular circuits, making known the exact time he will be in each, to receive proposals and transact business. There must be an office in each and some confidential person to superintend it. Every thing done must afterwards be reported to and recorded in the principal Land Office.

    When your settlements extend and sales increase it will be necessary to have a surveyor resident on each district to run out the lines of any land you may sell, and it will be immediately necessary to have a surveyor and chainmen attach’d to the concern which you will always have employ for. They may in the first instance examine and fix all our doubtful boundaries, which is of the utmost importance, run out squatters rights, and settle with them which is equally so. I woud have this done immediatly and where it can be done without great prejudice to the concern I woud settle amicably with them, leave them satisfied, and not stumble at any slight impositions they may put upon us and which we must expect. I woud immediatly make out their deeds to them, taking care to treat them all with an equal hand and to inforce firmly our rights when we think proper to claim them at all. I would observe as a general maxim that nobody must ever be allow’d to set you at defiance. You must take care what you advance but, once done, it must be persisted in. As long as the country remains unimproved and waste it is natural for large proprietors to be unpopular, but you will experience very much the reverse when the people become aware of the general benefits the country at large derives from your efforts. Your capital helps them forward untill they can stand alone and you will find they will stand by you afterwards. I witness’d this universally in the Genesee where the settlers are a set of unprincipled vagrants as cou’d any where be collected, but in every house Williamson’s public spirited exertions were the theme of conversation and he had not a vote in his country against him on his being sent their representative.266

    It would be useless in me to point out the attaching and conciliatory ingredients of character to those who know it much better. The dispositions of the people you have to live among must guide you and I woud only observe that it is not altogether done by an overfamiliarity. People you will have to deal with are better managed by keeping them at a certain distance and creating without haughtiness a considerable portion of awe and respect.

    All the townships on which there are settlers I woud have immediatly survey’d, and ascertain the quality of soil, water courses, etc. and I woud follow the same plan with every one the moment it becomes broken up by a partial sale.

    Nothing should be disposed of in the dark, and the contracts several persons have been treating for with General Cobb will of course fall to the ground as none of the terms of the offer have been complied with. The township on which our interior town is to be form’d must also be survey’d. I see no advantage in running it entirely out into small farms. Any person requiring one must get it from the surveyor. Particular attention must be paid to distribute advantages of meadow and waters when the township is laid out, and then the plan laid down by your surveyor shou’d never be deviated from to gratify the caprice of a settler, as it woud otherwise produce endless confusion.

    A tract of land laid out for a farm should not exceed 160 acres. It is as much as any settler can want, unless to speculate on, which among this class of people I woud check as much as possible. I believe it wou’d be a good plan to lay out all farms of 160 acres exactly, which woud much assist your records. Where there are many children in a family two or even three may be given together, but I woud not divide a farm. Round your town you must lay off small tracts of 25 or 50 acres each which must bear a proportionate price, and care must be taken not to sell too many of them at the first outset. Where land is sold in any mass we can not make reservations excepting in extraordinary cases but where it is sold in farms I would reserve particular mill seats and in some instances meadows. As the settler shou’d not in the beginning improve the former, it may afterwards be dispos’d of to some steady character whom we can depend on and who wou’d probably become a leading man in the little community which woud form around it.

    Tho’ as I have said above land speculation should be discouraged in the settler as it will take his attention from agricultural improvement, we are aware that there must be speculators between ourselves and the settlers to answer the place of a shopkeeper between the wholesale dealer and the consumer, for tho’ we may in the first instance sell in small farms for the sake of settlers, the bulk of our sales must afterwards be to people who have connections in the old countries and means of retail sale which we coud never find out, and these characters will be abundant where your improvements are sufficiently important to attract their attention.

    It is necessary thus to unite the endeavours of many where the first great impression has been made by yourselves. I woud not sell a whole township to any one character that was not very respectable—a few thousand acres must answer the purposes of most. A small number of settlers must always be insisted upon and I woud never sell to any speculators who did not contemplate improvement and particularly to none whose object was lumber.

    Let your endeavours chiefly point to the settlement of such parts of the tract as are distant and interior, for tho’ every industrious applicant should be accommodated in some shape if possible, you need not be apprehensive of sea-shore situations or islands not doing well if such parts are assisted and forced forward which woud otherwise remain in the back ground.

    The regulation of price is an important subject to be settled. I am persuaded that in this respect too much attention has till now been paid to opinions of the people in the country. Opinions of these people form themselves insensibly from habits, and a dull round of experience and custom without any recurrence to primitive causes. They have been accustom’d to consider waste lands worth nothing because they have always been neglected and plunder’d, but when we commence agricultural improvements it is to us to tell them what land in that state is worth and not to learn it from them. I am not at all dejected at the present considerations of value of soil in Maine because the very same case has occurr’d in all new countries and the same revolution has been operated which I look forward to as infallible from the plan we have laid down. On Williamson’s arrival in the Genesee, wild land was estimated at 1/6d. New York money. He was long laughed at when he first asked a dollar and had much more difficulty to reconcile the minds of the people to this price than he has now to obtain 5 and 6 dollars for it. A value is always set on a thing according to what it cost the owner, which was forcibly explained in upper Canada where clear’d farms because they were originally granted away for nothing sell for very little more than coud be obtain’d for waste lands on the opposite side of the river. In general you may expect to find our plan of improvements censur’d and ridicul’d among the people of the country in its commencement, but in the sequel proof will convince them and it will be in your power to name the value of the lands what you please. You must therefore not be dismay’d or deterr’d from a persevering prosecution of our project. I woud sell no lands of any description under 1. dollar the acre which should be your first year’s price. I am of opinion that it will not be necessary or adviseable to give away any to induce first settlers. They may be allow’d easier terms of payment or otherwise accommodated. Where you set down yourselves, there will be no difficulty of attracting others and one season will perfectly change the aspect of what at first might be a dreary scene. Where settlers can have the neighbourhood of a mill, a store, and a highway which you may promise them, the price they pay is unimportant. You must be uniform in your prices at the same periods excepting for particular situations, town lots, etc.

    During the first season you must intimate your intention of advancing your price the next to 2. dollars and after the sale of perhaps 50 or 60 thousand acres you should really advance it and in proportion as you find the rage increases and applicants press you, continue to advance by degrees as you find the country will bear it. You need have no fear of checking migrations unless your prices are absurdly extravagant, for the progressive advance, which like the present appearances dupes the unthinking looker on, is exactly the stimulus to speculation and future expectation. There is one great advantage in this system of a gradual advance of price which is that it pleases those who buy lower—gives them an idea to strain every nerve to retain and not abandon it. This is the plan that has been follow’d in the Genesee where its exact effect has been experienced but I am of the opinion that it has there been carried too far and now checks the growth of the country.

    The great accommodation to settlers will result from the arrangement of a very important point for consideration. I mean the credit to be given them and terms of payment. I woud in this respect proceed with as much uniformity as possible attending to the circumstances of your settlers and the demand for lands at the time.

    With a real settler who takes and improves a single farm I woud be more indulgent than with a speculator and particularly to those who commence your settlements inland. If possible you should always insist on some ready money to secure you against desertion and abandonment but I would not turn away an industrious man for want of it. With those who buy for resale, I would make a cash payment a positive condition as a security for a compliance with the bargain. Speaking generally I think the following terms eligible:

    Take your purchasers note payable one half in three and the other in five years with interest. Give him provisionally a promise to make him a deed on his paying the first years interest or the interest due at the time of such payment when the first year is elaps’d. On his making such payment give him a deed and take a mortgage stipulating in every instance the forfeiture of the first payments if the others are not complied with.

    It would be desirable to inforce larger cash payments but I fear it woud not be possible. When it can be done I should like to have 1/3d or 1/4th of the purchase price paid.

    You will probably again have to combat opinion as to your mode of making deeds which after much consideration appears to be the only one unexceptionable. To make deeds and take a mortgage immediatly and previous to any payment woud expose you to endless trouble and embarassment. You will have in the beginning deserters and defaulters and it would require a troublesome process at law to regain possession. Before the settlers make any payment they risk nothing in wanting a deed and the great desire all New England people have to have a title will stimulate them to early payments.

    I think Williamson’s form of promise very good but it is proper that you shoud have one drawn up for you in Boston conformable to the laws of Massachusetts. Mr. Bingham, T. M. Willing and W. Cramond will make out a power to General Cobb and Mr. Richards jointly to make deeds. They can always be collected at the Land Office and sign’d at fix’d periods you may agree on to meet for that purpose.

    As neither of our agents have ever been in the habits of business I wish particularly to impress on their minds the absolute necessity of the most minute regularity in keeping their books and papers. Without this they will in a very short time be lost in a chaos of business which they and much less we should never be able to decypher. They will also have to do with people of no regularity which renders it more necessary. Nothing should pass of any description that is not recorded in the office immediatly. It is a bad practice in business to trust the smallest trifles to memory. I wou’d recommend your doing all your business in your office and take care to finish off all your agreements and contracts so as to leave nothing vague and undefin’d. I wou’d recommend to you to date all your deeds and bonds on the first day of the quarter, that is, every thing done in January, February, March should be dated 1st January, in April, May, June, 1st April, and the same for the others. This will ease your memory and simplify your accounts. Mr. Black267 who will go to Maine with Mr. Richards is a very steady young man and will be of great assistance in the office. When your business increases you must get some more hands but for some time he will suffice and you will find him very generally useful. You must accustom all your under agents, surveyors, and dependents of every description to the most rigid regularity in their returns and papers. There can be no difficulty in this if it is once commenc’d on a proper plan but any neglect will be hereafter irreparable.

    Persuaded of the necessity of method and order in our office, we have furnish’d Mr. Richards from London with a regular set of books to which he will add any other which may here after be necessary as aids. The mode we should propose is as follows. He has:

    1. A Day Book commonly call’d a Waste Book, in which must be enter’d day by day every receipt and expenditure as it occurs, also every contract enter’d into so that this book would be a short history of all important occurrences, and from this the several articles must be posted out into the other books to which they belong.

    2nd. A Great Book wherein must be enter’d under their respective heads to which they belong every article of receipt and expence from the Day Book. This is our important book and contains the state of the concern and all its transactions.

    3rd. An Account Current Book in which all our debtors are placed. They must be debited for the price of their lots sold to them and any advances made them, and credited afterwards for their payments. The object of this book is to shew at one view the state of our account with every person owing us money.

    4th. A Register Book wherein must be recorded all transfers of land or promises to transfer with the conditions contracted with them. I woud have a large chart of each township as it is surveyed on one leaf in the book and to be referr’d to by figures in the record on the other. This book is to shew the state of our property in hand—what part is sold, on what terms, and what remains unsold.

    I think these books will make our concern proceed regularly and intelligibly to all parties. I shall explain to Mr. Richards every detail of the manner of keeping them and balancing them before we seperate. In the beginning this one set of books will be sufficient. When you divide the tract into districts of directions it will be necessary to have others for different departments.268

    I would propose the following plan to supply our agents with the cash they may want in Maine which has hitherto met difficulties.

    Mr. Bingham and myself shall open a credit with John Codman at Boston provisionally for dollars —— in favor of General Cobb and Mr. Richards, to be renewed further when that sum is expended. At the office the cash of the concern shall be kept and replenish’d when necessary by joint orders or drafts of our agents on Mr. Codman. They should always keep about dollars 1000 by them which the extent of their operations will render necessary. They shoud not draw for smaller sums than dollars 500 at a time on Codman who will always be prepar’d to answer their drafts at sight. John Codman shall be directed to place one half of the sums drawn on him to account of Mr. Bingham, the other half to account of Hope and Co. and to reimburse himself on each respectively according to any directions they may give. Each may then provide for his share in the manner he pleases.

    General Cobb and Mr. Richards will take care not to include their individual personal compensations in the finances of the general concern. General C. will understand directly with Mr. Bingham and Mr. R. with Hope and Co. for this object, it being the only one in which a distinction of agency appears.

    By means of the communication by packet propos’d between Gouldsboro’ and Boston it will be easy to get dollars from thence by giving the Captain an order on Codman.

    This packet should be procur’d and establish’d as speedily as possible. It will be of most important service to supply your own stores and open an easy and a known communication with the very center of emigrations. It should be a smart small vessel, I think a schooner with tolerable accommodations of a common kind for passengers. It should be neatly painted on the outside and have Gouldsborough Packet in large letters on her stern. This communication being regular will attract attention and besides make Gouldsbro’ the port of communication for the country east of Penobscot with Boston. The mere regular supply of your own stores is in itself sufficiently important tho’ I have no doubt this vessel will support itself the second year by bringing down passengers at a moderate passage money and returning with lumber. As aliens can have no concern in this vessel if she must have a register, which I presume, we must come to some arrangement on this subject which can meet no difficulty. I should think a proper vessel cou’d now be purchased at Boston cheap that woud answer our purpose. A good trusty master must also be looked out for to command her.

    I think it also necessary that a small sailing boat of 10 or 20 tons shoud be bought or built for the inland navigation of Maine. It will particularly be necessary when we have opend our communication with the Penobscot from our inland town if, as I have no doubt, it is more accessible from that river than from Gouldsbro’.

    A good row boat is also of course necessary.

    After much consideration of the advantages and disadvantages of Gouldsbro’ I believe it must be our head quarters on the coast. The goodness of the harbor must insure its future importance tho’ its dreary appearance makes it unfavorable for the first introduction of settlers. I am for this reason desirous if possible to get them on the lands up the Penobscot and make that the great inroad. When the interior of the country is settled the poor appearance of Gouldsbro’ Point will make no impression but its advantages as a harbor will secure it settlement and trade.

    General Cobb must not omit to get Mr. Bingham to execute the requisite formalities before his departure so as to secure the title of the last purchase from Shaw which I understand is not compleat. Shaw must also be got to give the settlers their deeds and every claim in the township must be settled that we and every body else may be enabled to ascertain our property distinctly.

    I am of opinion that our buildings in Gouldsbro’ should be kept in good repair and even that others shoud be added if occupants will take them at a reasonable rent. They should all be painted outside to look neat which woud remove much of the horrors of the place.269 It is necessary to observe however that our object is to improve the bulk of our lands and not the town of Gouldsbro’ which must be subservient to the former and is only consider’d as a means to effect our greater purpose.

    I approve of General Cobb’s plan to secure the mill seats on the several streams in our tract as the only effectual mode of restraining the plunder of our own timber. I do not exactly see that it will aid our great operation otherwise than by making us more the masters of the lumber of the country but I am convinc’d it will repay a handsome profit and destroy a most nefarious practice which we can not otherwise check. I do not consider the habits of the sea shore inhabitants of our tract any ways detrimental to our plan. We should find them very much so if we attempted the old plan of working gradually agricultural settlements from the sea shore backwards, but our plan is to get our settlers on where they will be beyond the temptations of fishing and lumbering. In that case these two employments create a circulation of money in the country, a market for produce, and easy means of procuring supplies which no other new countries in America can enjoy and are well worth the disadvantages accompanying them. We must confine ourselves to approving generally this plan of securing the mills and leave the detail of it to our agents. Of all these they must judge for themselves and form their own plans. We can only lay down the great outline of ours which all theirs must tend to accomplish with as little digressions as possible. If they think the acquisition of the mill at Prospect Harbor desirable, they should treat for it on the best terms possible. I can not pretend to judge of the question. There can be no doubt that lumber will become very valuable on a return of peace and if we can collect any quantity of it at Gouldsbro’ it will always sell well and at the same time facilitate our operations in the interior.

    I am after much reflection convinc’d that it is indispensable that the concern should have a store of their own. They will in the beginning of their operations have numerous wants themselves for which they must not depend on the country store keepers nor pay their prices. We shall besides expend considerable sums in labor of which a great part will return to the store if well conducted. Our settlements in the interior will require small branch stores which we must begin by supporting ourselves and I will give a plan for keeping the accounts of these several stores and also of our mills so as to conform to our mode of bookkeeping. Our agents must assort the articles they will want and which are of primary necessity in the country, and some person must be appointed at Boston to do their business there as also that of the packet when it is established. I must here again repeat that it is not our wish to monopolize every species of business in the new country. On the contrary we wish it cou’d be done by others. We do not want the profits either of the store keeper or the miller. Our object is solely to enhance the value of our lands by procuring these advantages to settlers. To that point all operations should be directed and their utility judged of invariably from their tendency towards it.

    We have had under consideration several offers of land in our neighbourhood principally of Leonard Jarvis and Jones.270 I should have no objection to making any additional purchases that would be of service to our present property, but I do not wish an extension of it without that motive, considering the object we hold large enough to engage all our exertions and attention. It may perhaps be good policy to buy out needy men for the purpose hereafter of supporting prices but they cannot interfere with our sales on long credit as it woud not answer their object. Jones’s tract on Union River which he wants to sell is valuable and I should think a good purchase. Of the value of Jarvis’s I am not sufficiently acquainted but we probably shall have to cut thro’ part of them to open our communication with the Penobscot. If any part of his lands should on examination be of service to us, I would buy them. Mr. Richards will have full power to act for us in concert with Mr. Bingham in all questions of this nature which may hereafter occur. I wish principally that the Penobscot Indian lands may be examin’d, particularly their connection with ours and if one or more townships of them should be thought useful to us, measures must be taken in Boston to secure them if they do not sell too high. I woud wish General Cobb to attend immediately to purchasing up all the lottery prizes scatter’d thro’ our tract. They may probably now be got low as they must be of little value to the holders. To us they are important and we should not be able to collect them on easy terms if we waited untill our operations begin to take effect. These claims are troublesome and I woud rather give more than their value to get rid of them.

    Mr. Bingham will attend to the necessary steps to be taken to set aside Van Berkel’s chicane which I conceive will now be easily done on our claiming the deeds in escrow. Mr. Bingham has also to take up the remaining original deeds from the state of Massachusetts, and to deposit stock as security for the settling penalties agreeable to our arrangement, and General Cobb must take the proper measures to enumerate our actual settlers to the satisfaction of the government of Massachusetts which he will be able to make some arrangement about at Boston.

    Our plan will require considerable immediate preparations at Boston to get the hired labour on the lands as early in the season as possible, particularly the road cutters, surveyor and assistants, carpenters, etc. As to the numbers of these people requisite and the means of obtaining them on the best terms, I can give no information. Our wish is to act with vigour and of course to observe all possible œconomy or as I before said to produce the greatest effect by the smallest possible means.

    The last tho’ not the least important subject I have to recommend is attention to puffing. Every stroke of the axe in your woods should be heard in Massachusetts and Connecticut, every hut should be call’d a village and every village a town. When you have fix’d your Land Office, you should advertize in all the principal New England papers that the tract is ready for settlement with a short account of the advantages of the country and progress of improvements taking care that your operations are previously known and talked of. You will find your reputation spread rapidly and visitors to the country will follow, who of course should be attended to. In your advertisement you must mention the establishment of a packet communication with Boston which will operate strongly, and dwell on such particulars as are likely to captivate the people you have to expect. Tho’ puffing has a great effect and indeed the greatest real exertions woud be buried without some portion of it, care must be taken that those who are induc’d to come on your lands are not disappointed and for this purpose some little shew should be attended to in your improvements. Being in a good or bad tavern to a visitor has often a great effect on opinion. I woud erect a comfortable one at the new town and occasionally else where as they become necessary and you find people whom you can depend on to manage them. In the beginning it will be requisite to assist this business by advancing articles from the stores but afterwards it will without difficulty support itself. The innkeeper at Bath in the Genesee two years after its first settlement, in the midst of a perfect wilderness, took in the course of six months dollars 2000. in his business and another at Geneva considerably more. With whatever œconomy the business may really be conducted it should as much as possible have the outside appearance of generosity and even profuseness. People will feel courage in expecting to be backed by a large capital in their public improvements and whenever any important object can be attain’d by real assistance it should be attended to. I woud for instance second any attempt of our settlers in process of time in our new town to establish their meeting house, and lay out the spot for it and talk about it almost immediatly. Be ready to encourage mending the roads and cutting new ones, building bridges, getting cattle into the country, etc.

    I woud sometime hence when your country has made some progress get a newspaper establish’d at Gouldsbro’ or elsewhere. This kind of forced refinement excites great attention and has often a wonderful effect from its singularity. There is as yet I believe none east of Wiscasset. Your packet communication will assist your editor and it will be a necessary vehicle hereafter of your advertisements and domestic arrangements.

    To persons who have never enquir’d into nor watched the progress of new settlements I may appear to look too far forward and to be too sanguine in my expectations. But I am confident of our plan being practicable to a much greater degree than I have express’d and with an active and vigorous management a short period will prove it. Nothing of the kind has ever been attempted in America on a more susceptible object or under such promising agency, and while we look forward to the result with confidence we are on all occasions ready to make liberal allowances for unavoidable disappointments and unintentional errors which from the novelty of the business we may in some instances expect.

    Tho’ we have thus given our opinions and ideas with every detail we are aware that our agents must not be bound to them when any deviation is thought necessary. In every detail of the business they must follow their own judgement in which we have the most implicit confidence and above all they will find it necessary to act upon every occurrence with firmness and decision.

    Philadelphia the 25th January 1798

    The foregoing plan having been read over and amply discussed with Mr. Bingham, General Cobb, and Mr. Richards it was generally approv’d of by all parties to serve as the basis for our operations in Maine with the following trifling deviations and exceptions.

    4th sheet. 1st page.271 It was thought expedient not to give a deed and take a mortgage untill a larger payment was made than the interest. The exact sum to be previously receiv’d must depend on the magnitude of the object and calculated so as to secure the proprietors against abandon on the part of the purchaser.

    Same sheet. 2nd page.272 It will not be prudent to stipulate the loss of the first payment in case of a want of punctuality in making the others, at least not as a general rule, and particularly not for actual settlers. The condition will alarm and deter purchasers as we must expect defaulters among them. With speculators we may be more rigid and the forfeiture of their first cash payment may be made a condition for their not prosecuting the remaining terms of the contract.

    Same sheet. 3rd page.273 It was thought better to date all contracts from the first day of each ensuing month instead of each quarter which woud be nearly an equal facility to the books and not bring too many payments to the same date which might excite a spirit of resistance from a common cause of self interest among the settlers.

    Same sheet. Page 4th.274 The Account Current Book was thought unnecessary as the Great Book will contain every debtors account current, and it is desirable to simplify our books as much as possible that they may be the more correct and regular.

    Philadelphia the 5th February 1798.

    We deliver the foregoing remarks to General Cobb and Mr. Richards as a summary of our ideas at present of the operations we have in view in Maine under their joint direction. They must be considered more as hints than positive instructions and subject to such deviations as future experience may point out. We consider our duty thus far performed and in this shape we must submit our concern to our agents which we do with the most perfect confidence in their exertions to insure to our enterprize the success we most sincerely and earnestly expect.275

    Philadelphia the 16th February 1798.

    Wm. Bingham

    Alexr. Baring.

    Baring to Bingham, Boston, 9 March 1798 [BP]

    Boston 9th March 1798

    My dear Sir,

    Having got rid of nearly all my bussiness at this place I shall follow very shortly my present precursor to Philadelphia which, without any particular object, I wish merely to prevent your being taken by surprize. Cobb and Richards are collecting their wants. We have discussed every thing in every shape and view and as my presence is now rather an incumbrance than otherwise I have determined to accompany tomorrow a gentleman who is going with his own carriage to New York. As it will be my last visit to that place I shall stay a few days and then proceed to Philadelphia where for many reasons I am in a hurry to be.276 I have the pleasure to inform you that the labour wanted for our operations will be easily procured and from the press of applications we have reason to hope on comparatively moderate terms. It will be near the midle of next month before our friends will leave this place and as we have at last launched them with every possible requisite for success we may with confidence look to it if similar operations are susceptible of any. You will see by the inclosed advertisement that the Penobscot lands are for sale. The terms rather please me as they will insure settlers and improvements.277 I have left directions to obtain if possible a copy of the survey of these lands for our information. The puff direct of this publication is a good specimen and I have recommended the stile to Cobb. Our intended improvements are much talked of and with the joint assistance of the axe and the pen they will spread and make general and favorable impressions. Your Kennebec tract is said to be very ripe for settlement and a town has this session been incorporated within a very short distance of it.

    I have had several conversations with General Knox about his situation but have not been able to realize any arrangement with regard to his debt that would be agreable to you. He wanted me to prolong the period of payment which I explained my inability to do in consequence of your responsibility which I should thereby prejudice. He can get no indorsers here without a great sacrifice which would materially affect the general value of his lands, having already as I understand encroached as much as he safely can upon the disposition of his neighbours. I am confirmed in my opinion that you would do well to realize the amount of your several claims in land. I shall not want the dollars 8/m278 untill my return. The House in New York is extremely disappointed at the decision of your arbitrators and would hardly credit my assertion that you were equally so. You may rely upon it that they would set aside the decision if you wish it. I was told they felt personally sore having raised such high expectations in Amsterdam on what they thought infallible ground.279 By some strange fatality [?] I get no letters from home. One of the packets is lost and the others were out of time. Our latest political news is from the south and forebodes a repetition of a Parisian nouvel ordre de choses but of what complexion I have no idea. I think it not improbable that some new party may build its popularity on a general peace which the people of France must know in their reach. The event would not surprize me in the least. In the mean time the invading preparations are kept up. I have no apprehensions for the effect of any violent blow but very serious ones for the consumptive operations of a lingering inactive and exhausting war which we can not much longer without imminent danger sustain. That I have nothing else to do does not justify me in taking up more of your time who have always much. I will therfore conclude with the only real object of the present which was to convey the sincere tribute of my respectful compliments and regard to Mrs. Bingham, Ann, and Maria which pray don’t forget, and to assure you of the invariable esteem

    of dear sir,

    Yours most truely

    Alexr. Baring

    If you wish me to do any thing for you at New York write to me to the care of William Codman.

    Cobb to Bingham, Boston, 16 April 1798 [BP]280

    Boston April 16th 1798

    My dear Sir:

    The variety of my excursions, and little avocations have been so great since my arrival in this town, as must plead my apology for not communicating with you before.

    Mr. Richards and myself are making every arrangement for opening the campaign as soon as the season will possibly admit. Our surveyor and chainmen are engaged; the road cutters and carpenters are mostly agreed for, our schooner will be purchased this week and we shall depart for Maine the last of this month.

    The Cabots have again commenced their action against you, and summonses have been left with General Jackson, and with me as your agent and tenant; it was enter’d at the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Essex on the second Tuesday of this month. You will be pleas’d to communicate either to your lawyer or me what you would wish to have done in this business.281

    I have obtain’d Shaw’s deed for the last purchases and General Jackson has paid him the ballance amounting to 921 dollars and 45 cents. This sum should be remitted as soon as possible.

    I must request your permission to draw on you for one thousand dollars in part of my next annual stipend, before I leave this place. Perhaps you had better transmit this sum together with the ballance of Shaw’s purchase, in a post note to me or General Jackson.

    By this mail you will receive, for Mrs. Bingham, a poem written by Mrs. Morton.282 I still consider Miss Bingham’s commission to be in force for a bear skin which shall be procured whenever a good one can be found.

    If it is your intention that any lumber should be sent to you further than what you have already order’d, you will be pleas’d to inform me as soon as you can make it convenient.

    I am sir with esteem and respect

    Your obedient servant

    David Cobb

    Bingham to Cobb, Philadelphia, 30 April 1798 [CP]

    Philadelphia April 30th 1798

    Dear General:

    I received your letter of the 16 instant but must plead the same apology for not answering it sooner, which you make for not writing me at an earlier period—the activity of my private avocations.

    I observe that Mr. Richards and yourself are making the most busy preparations for commencing your operations, and that you have employed a number of persons to assist you, who are about taking their departure from Boston.

    I hope that the eventual advantages will recompense the vast expences that will be incurred in forming this settlement. I wish our lands possessed of so many allurements, as to induce such persons to emigrate there of their own accord, instead of being under the necessity of seeking for them at Boston.

    I observe that you are desirous of drawing for one thousand dollars in anticipation of your next years salary. If you recollect the arrangement you proposed to me, when the $3,500 were advanced, you will find that the amount was to be repaid out of your future annual claims for personal compensation. By the inclosed Account Current you will find that you are debited with a ballance of $4,055.55, giving you credit for salary untill the 1st February 1798, when the new arrangement commences.

    However I should have no objection in gratifying your wishes if it was in my power.

    But such have been the losses and disappointments that I have recently met with, that I cannot raise money out of the sale of property to discharge the claims that exist against me. There is an installment due to the State on the 1st June next, and I have no means of paying it without making immense sacrifices—such as no consideration of eventual profits arising from these lands, would ever have induced me to make, if I had not already engaged in the business—superadded to which I have some difficulties of a very unexpected nature to encounter, which indisposes me still more to this concern. As you may be disappointed in not receiving a part of the sum you request, I herewith remit you five hundred dollars, on account of your salary—but you must observe that it will take many years to ballance this account, by the payment of a moiety thereof, each year. If I can find the means of furnishing my portion of the expenditures for the improvement of these lands, I shall be exceedingly satisfied.

    I shall make a remittance to General Jackson for the ballance he has paid Shaw, and I wish, after you have had his deed recorded, you would transmit it to me, by some safe conveyance.

    As soon as you can accomplish it, I wish you to make up your accounts to the 1st February last, when the new concern commences.

    I do not wish you to send any more lumber than was mentioned in my first letter, and even that but on condition that you can procure it to be shipped on easy terms of freight, by some vessel, that may be destined to this place.

    I shall take proper measures relative to the suit commenced against me by the Cabots etc. You do not seem to be acquainted with the reasons that induced them to have recourse to this mode of procedure, after having already been cast [?] in the courts of your State.

    You promised to send me a quantity of dumb fish, and a patent machine for washing cloaths, but I suppose you have forgotten it.

    I am with regard and esteem

    Dear General

    Yours, etc.

    Wm. Bingham

    General Cobb

    Bingham to Cobb, Philadelphia, 14 May 1798 [CP]

    Philadelphia May 14th 1798

    Dear General:

    I wrote you some time since and at that time remitted you a draft on the Branch Bank for $500 being a part of the sum you requested me to advance on your salary, and was as much as in the present state of my finances, I could possibly disburse. Such has been my situation that I have not been able, untill this day to remit General Jackson the money he advanced to Mr. Shaw for the ballance due to him for the Gouldsborough purchases. Neither have I been able to forward to Mr. Codman my part of the advances he has made for the concern, which have amounted to upwards of $8,000. I must confess myself much surprized at so large a disbursement in so short a period.

    The rising value of our property must be very striking, in order to justify such considerable outgoings. But at this moment, such payments are peculiarly distressing, when I cannot procure the means of making them, without the greatest sacrifice and inconvenience. Having no active pursuits of business which give me the command of funds, I am compelled to sell property, when I want to raise money. Therefore I wish you had informed me of your making use of your credit on Mr. Codman to such an extent, that I might have been prepared for the event, and not have so long protracted the remittance. As for bank credits, I must lose all character, if I have recourse to them, after the many declarations I have made, not to avail myself of them, in any case whatsoever. I am therefore obliged to collect all my outstanding debts, in order to enable me to meet my engagements. But no consideration of eventual profit from the Maine Lands, will induce me to retain them much longer, under the inconveniences of advance of money that I have submitted to, from the difficulty and sacrifice that must attend the obtaining it.

    I am now casting about and enquiring for a proper person to send to Europe, as an agent for the sale of the Kennebec tract, at whatever price can be procured for it, for my active monied resources will not admit of such heavy advances for the payment of these lands and to supply the continual disbursements that will attend their settlement and improvement.

    The draft you have made upon me for $1,000, being the sum you referred to, and which I informed me [you] could not at present be advanced without immense inconvenience, will be returned to you. I had previously remitted you one half of the amount.

    With my best wishes for your health and a successful pursuit of your object, I am with great regard

    Dear General

    Yours sincerely

    Wm. Bingham

    General Cobb

    Jackson to Cobb, Dorchester, 30 August 1798 [CP]

    Dorchester August 30. 1798

    Friend David:

    I received your favor of the 19th instant by Godfrey.283 When I wrote you last, and sent you Mr. B.— letters, I was so much engaged at the departure of the frigate, and particularly at the moment Captain Godfrey call’d on me that I had only time to enclose those letters to you. Indeed I had forgot the circumstances of the bill at that instance, altho’ it made a deep very deep impression on my mind at the time, and of which I intend’d to have stated to you when I wrote, and enclosed you my corrispondence with him on that subject. It most certainly (considering the parties) discovers in him a little, mean, and unworthy conduct, very far from what you had a right to expect from him, and I think you ought most certainly to take a proper stand in this business and treat the subject as it deserves. The fact is, on the bills being presented to him or your letter to him coming before the bill, he declined paying it, and gave me or you some trifling reasons for so doing, and at the same time complain’d of you, but for fear it should be too great an inconvenience to you to take up the bill, he forwarded a note of $500 to assist you in that operation. As the bill was drawn at such a sight that a letter from me would reach him before it became due, I instantly wrote him, and returned the $500 dollar note, and informed him you had departed for Gouldsboro’, and had not made the least provision for the drafts returning, and that I had endorsed the bill solely to oblige the parties, that if I had to take it up, it must and would be done by a redraft on him until it was finaly paid. After this I heard nothing more from him on the subject. He received the 500 dollars, and I believe paid the bill as it never came back. Thus endeth the first lesson. As the prevailing fever in the town became very serious, and my not having lived out near half my days, nor my usefullness, and my friends not wishing to part with me in a sudden and unbecoming manner gave me an invitation to pass a few weeks on or near the hieghts of Dorchester for the benefit of my declining health, and to retire from the putrid air of the city, here I have been for two weeks, and from the difference of the air, with a country diet, and abundence of ice to cool the wine, punch, and cider, and on the butter for breakfast, and this in dog days, I find I am fast recovering, and in a few weeks if I continue here, I expect the doctor will pronounce me out of danger and able to return to the city at the opening of the Federal Street Theatre on the first Monday in October next, at which time our campaign will open, and I hope to keep the field until the end of the season. That you may not be much alarmed on my account, you must know that I am able with the help of my horse and chair to make one of the party at the social circle in the city on Saturdays, where you and Richards are frequently mentioned with much pleasure, at the expence of a bottle of wine to the landlord.

    I thank you my good friend for the offer of an apartment in your house, and if I should make you a visit before you build a new one (as it is probable I may, you remember the conversation we had), I shall with pleasure accept your invitation. On locating the spot for your new house I pray you to take into consideration a pond, brooks or large spring of water in its vicinity so that by an aquiduct and pipes you may convey the water to any part of the house. This with a little care and attention in placing your house may very easily be effected, as your country abounds with water. And before you build the house, send me a plan of it. I may want to make some alteration in my appartments, for be assured I am serious and think it more than probable that I shall pass a considerable part of my time with you, if we live, and you permanently establish yourself in that country. I am now bring [ing] all my concerns to a point and closing my business, which I hope to effect in a year from this time. In that case, I shall be a citisen of the world, and attached to no particular spot, excepting to a few, very few friends indeed here, they [then?] away. I shall wish to pass the remainder of my days in quiet and retirement from the noise and bussel of the world. You know my determination on this head. The papers you ask for are come to light, and shall be forwarded you by this conveyance if I visit the town before your son departs.

    Our friend H. Knox’s family were alarmed at the fever and a few weeks since went off for St. Georges. Such was his business here, he remained behind until Monday last when he fled. I expect him back in ten or twelve days again, as his business and engagements will not permit him to be absent longer than that period.

    You will observe in the papers the appointment of the General Officers to the troops that are to be raised.284 It is said and beleiv’d by a certain party, that it was and is the intention of the Senate that Colonel Hamilton should be the second in command, that is, the first Major General, and it is pretty well understood that there was some undue management in this business. Be that as it may, our friend will not, nor cannot, with honor to himself accept of that appointment under these circumstances. All his friends, without one exception are of the same opinion. Major Rice, Major Gibbs, and General S. Elliot will accept of the command of regiments, Isaac Winslow a Major of one of the regiments.285 A number of young gentlemen have offered themselves for Captains and Subalterns. I think by a little attention, Massachusetts can furnish several very good corps of officers at least for three or four regiments. You will observe that this establishment will be for life. For my own part I cannot see how our friend under any circumstances can accept of any appointment whatever. Such are his engagements and arrangements at St. Georges that the disadvantage and sacrifice to him, to leave and abandon that property to be conducted by agents will be almost a total loss of the whole, and if his reasons were good for leaving the War Department, they must be in a ten fold ratio at this moment against his entering again into public life. Besides this, there may be many more reasons assigned to strengthen this opinion. He is fully possessed of my sentiments and wishes on this subject.

    The wind having been at east for two or three days past I have come to town this morning Sunday September 2d. concluding I should find you[r] son here, but to my great disappointment I learn he went to Portsmouth yesterday. I understand the packit is here, and as I shall return into the country this afternoon, I shall leave this with Mr. Welles with directions to give it to Captain Godfrey in the morning if he can be found, which I hope will be the case, as you will find enclosed the papers you requested. My particular regards to Mr. Richards, and beleive me

    Very sincerely, as ever—

    forever and for A—your friend

    H. Jakson

    P.S. It is said the fever is abaiting.

    For politicks I refer you to your son and the news papers. I think after this you will say I am a clever fellow.

    Ross to Cobb, Union River, 19 November 1798 [CP]

    Union River 19th. November 1798

    Sir:

    I did myself the honor of writing you two posts since respecting lawyers. Had I not been buoyed up with hopes of having the pleasure to see you and Mr. Richards here, I woud have been more particular, such as informing you that your turkeys and mutten are ready for embarkation if you wish for them.

    I had the pleasure of spending a few days lately at Castine. Mr. Parker gave me letters to the men whose names you noted. On hearing from you will deliver or keep them as you see meet. They are preparing with energy for the logging campaign. No one has hitherto signified any intention of obtaining your approbation, Mr. Fabrique286 excepted, who expresses a very earnest desire to obtain your licence, for this winter; and for which he is ready and willing to give you a generous compensation and any security you wish for the performance of his agreement. I told him what I understood your determination was. He replied he had heard you say the same, and said there were many going that did not mean to make application, but woud risque the consequences, that he did not wish to be one of the number, was willing to conform to the laws of the country and the regulations of the proprietors. In short, he said so much, that tho’ I have no reason to think that applications of this sort are agreeable to you, yet I promised to mention it to you and report him your answer.

    I had a letter from General Hunewill to day. He and Forbes287 are to be here next Friday. If you have a voyage to this part of the wilderness in contemplation, to meet them here might help to glide the gloomy hours away.

    I have the honor to be

    With much respect and esteem

    Sir, your most obedient servant

    Donald Ross

    Honorable David Cobb, Esquire

    Jackson to Cobb, Boston, 2 December 1798 [CP]

    Boston December 2. 1798 Sunday

    Friend David:

    When our good friend Richards’ arrival was announced to me, I expected the next breath to pronounce yours also, which would have been highly gratifying to your friends, and particularly so at this time to me. I had anticipated seeing you by the return of the packet, and began to make some arrangements in my appartments for your reception. I assure my disappointment is realy great, as I expect much comfort and consolation from your society and friendship. Your letter of the 20th ultimo with several conversations with Mr. R on the subject of your engagements, mutiny, etc., the last season, with the mode and manner of your feeding your poultry, chucky pigs, etc., praying in your family, and indeed all your indoor and outdoor occurrences has given me much pleasure and amusement and I am charmed and delighted to learn the great reformation that has taken place in you—that your industry, sobriety and ceconomy are conspicuous to the whole village, and its vicinity, and they contemplate recommending you to the proper authority as a well qualified and proper person for a licence to keep a tavern, and I understand you have enlarged your house for that purpose. To be serious, altho’ I think you have made astonishing operations the last season considering the means you have had, yet I think its trifling with abilities, time, and property, to crawl and to continue crawling as you have done for a year or two past. “To make haste slowly” is a good maxim, in most cases, but in your movements, it wants a stroak, and indeed a bold stroak, to draw the attention of the whole country, and if possible all Europe,—that your operations in one year, ought to anticipate and bring foreward that country in its improvements and advantages at least twenty years, beyond its common increase, for its natural situation and advantages. Its true you have done well, very well with your 15 or 20 hands, but its no more than the drop to the ocean, in comparison to what must and ought to be done, to bring that tract into proper view and notice, and to make the purchase of proper advantage to the proprietors of it. You ought to proceed with great strength and exertion. For two men of your and Mr. Richards character, reputation, and stand in life, to be imployed in such twopenny and threepenny operations is contemptible and laughable in the highest degree, and I think you ought in justice to yourselves, one or both of you to retire from such an establishment, as not requiring gentlemen of education and abilities as agents or to superintend their plans of operations. I am sorry to learn you have let another season pass over without locating a proper establishment for yourself. You are, my dear friend, criminally neglectful in this respect, as I think its the first duty you owe yourself and family at this moment to commence and bring forward a proper and advantageous location for their and your future residence, that in any event they may have an establishment that will make their lives comfortable and happy, without a dependance on any one,—and you must know that one year of your life in bring [ing] forward such an establishment for them is worth ten years if you should be taken from them, if not total distruction to them. I therefore hope and pray you will set about this business without delay, and work while the day lasts, for your night is coming on with rapid strides.

    As to Mr. Bingham I have the same opinion of him you have. As to the bill, there was such a bitterness it was contemptable. I have said but a few words to Mr. R on the subject. However I would have you shew a proper resentment to such conduct. Yet I should in every respect due my duty to him, and communicate and give him every information that the nature of your operations and situation requires.

    I sympathize with our friend General Campbell in the distruction of his mills.288 He will find it very difficult to procure the relief you propose.

    I think you must remember the conversation I had with you on the subject of our mutual friend HK[’s] affairs, and my fears on that head. Things went on in the old train for sometime after your departure, but it was evident to him they could not last long, altho’ he had ample property to refund the last shilling provided he could obtain time from those persons who held his paper. It was therefore concluded, by the advice of some of his friends, that however mortifying it might be to our feelings and pride he ought not to continue any longer in giving new paper for old, at a high accumulated interest and increasing his debt every month to an immence digree, this being the case when his paper became due. The holders could not obtain payment with that punctuality they expected. He made propositions to all who hold his paper to pay them immediately and deduct 10 per cent from a fair and just valuation made by three indifferent persons, or he will give unequivocal real security payable on time with interest annually. Many of the holders of his paper to a considerable amount have acceeded to this last proposition, as he informs me, to the amount $70,000. I am led to believe and hope that his property is ample and solid to pay every dollar he owes, and leave him a handsome property, if he has only three or four years given him to reap the benefits arising from the immence improvements and very large sums expended in erecting buildings, mills, canals, etc., within the Patent—and that he takes up his abode with his family wholly in that country. This is compleatly understood as part of the system and arrangement to be adopted. I am on the whole of his paper, and General Lincoln about 2/3ds,289 and besides that he owes me $40,000 dollars cash loaned him from time to time out of my pocket. This is a heavy sum and for which I am at this moment indetted, as I considered it my duty to take care in the first instence all those to whom I was personally indetted having received value myself. I previously secured to them all my real estate in this town, and in the final issue of this business, if our friends property falls short, I shall have no objection to their sharing my last cent. They attached all General L— property at Hingham and wherever they could find it. They have also attached some of mine. I assure you, my dear friend, this business is the most mortifying and distressing of any circumstance of my life. It is not possible for me to express to you half my feelings on this subject. To look back will do no good, and to look forward is only trouble and embarrasment for the remainder of my life. I thank you for your milk and potatoes. I think its possible I shall be happy to accept your kind invitation. I assure you every hour of my life proves to me that true happiness is only found with a few friends in retirement, therefore keep in view my parlour and bedchamber in the new house and establishment contemplated. When I shall have the pleasure of seeing you, many communications will be made, which I shall reserve for that interview.

    You have already been informed that our friend HK was appointed one of the Major Generals in our National Established Army. He was on the same list and appointed on the same day, with Hamilton and Pickney [sic], but they, standing on the list before him, with some manoeuvring and cunning in certain heads of departments, it is determin’d they take rank as they stand on the nomination. This you may well suppose excluded him from accepting in that degraded situation, however many arguments and means were made use of to persuade him to accept, but all to no purpose. He explicitly declined. In so doing, he fully accorded in the opinion and wishes of his particular friends. His pecuniary situation is such, that had all other things been agreeable, it would have been madness to have accepted. Hodgkins has a very good company, and is playing to very good houses in our New Theatre, Federal Street.290 I enclose you one of his bills, with some of the latest news papers. As to the news and politicks at home and abroad I refere you the papers which I understand you regularly take by mail. I refer you to Mr. Richards respecting all our friends with our mode and manner of living—HK, Hays, Russell, Jones, Eustis, Jeffery. And my good friend Elisha Sigourney who is now with [me] desires their remembrance.291 My respects to Mrs. Cobb, and your family.

    God bless you for ever and for A

    Your old friend

    H. Jackson

    David Cobb, Esquire

    Bingham to Cobb, Philadelphia, 26 December 1798 [CP]

    Philadelphia December 26th 1798

    Dear General:

    I have received none of your favors for a considerable time past. The last of which I am in possession is dated the 18th May.292

    I am therefore, for want of information, deprived of the means of conveying my sentiments on the various objects that have occupied your attention for the last season, and which have involved such an immense expenditure to the parties, as appear by the drafts of Mr. Codman.

    I will not venture an opinion on the subject, how far the interests of the concern will authorize such heavy advances, from any eventual advantages that will result therefrom, as I am entirely unacquainted with your proceedings, except from the information which Mr. Baring has imparted to me, and which he has derived from the occasional (tho frequent) communications of Mr. Richards, some of which have been addressed to Messrs. Hope and Co.

    I shall therefore wait untill I receive your next letters before I indulge in any observations on this subject.

    The very large sums of money I have paid and am to pay on account of these lands, beyond the amount of the sales, renders it extremely inconvenient to me to make further disbursements.

    The unfortunate situation of our friend General Knox deprives me of all expectation of receiving in any convenient time, any part of the large loan I made him; nor for the ballance on his share of the lands is there any reason to suppose the smallest reimbursement for a long period.

    Thus circumstanced, you will naturally suppose that I am very anxious to raise the value of the property, on which your agency is exerted, that I may have some chance of more immediate advantages than will probably be derived from the remaining parts of the land.

    You will essentially oblige me in being very explicit and full with respect to your operations, as this information may have an important influence on my views with respect to the Kennebec tract, which I find demands immediate attention, and which I am happy to observe, from the concurrent and unbiased testimony of various persons, is held in high estimation.

    In anxious expectation of hearing from you, and with my best compliments and good wishes to your family, I am with regard

    Dear General

    Your friend and obedient humble servant

    Wm. Bingham

    General Cobb

    Cobb to Bingham, Gouldsborough, 31 January 1799 [BP]293

    Gouldsborough January 31st. 1799

    Dear Sir:

    I receiv’d your letter of the 26th ultimo by the last mail; by this you will have inclosed our accounts for the last year.

    I have heretofore omitted my communications with you for reasons that in my mind are satisfactory.

    I will now endeavour to give you a detail of our proceedings for the season. We purchased at Boston last April a good schooner almost new of one hundred and twenty three tons burthen, as a lumberman and packet to pass between this port and that. She was larger than we wish’d, but after trying a month we could not procure a more convenient siz’d one but at a higher price and not so good a vessel. These circumstances, with the advice of our best friends, induced us to make this purchase. She is a good vessel and answers our purpose perfectly well. In this vessel we came from Boston on the 5th of May, and arrived the 7th, having on board every thing that was to constitute our store, materials for building, provisions and utensils for our operations, together with ten labourers, a surveyor and three chainmen, five carpenters and a mason. The remainder of the road cutters with their leader were engaged from Kennebeck. They arrived here on the 18th and on the 21st. The whole party for road making took the field. This party, consisting generally of twelve men and a leader, have compleated a road directly into the forrest, northwesterly from this place, almost twenty five miles, with bridges and causeways; on this road, at the Great Falls of Narraguagus River in No. 17, we have erected a saw mill and dam and a dwelling house in which a settler now lives with a large family. It is our intention that this settler shall, the next season, raise 300 bushels of Indian corn from the lands he will burn over in the insuing spring. If this can be effected, and I have no doubt of it, this part of the country will be fled to as Egypt was from the Land of Canaan.

    The carpenters have been employ’d here at this point in building a good house, making an addition to another (the one in which I live) and some little repairs to a third. This already gives an intire new appearance to the property here.

    The surveyor and chainmen have been mostly imploy’d in this township, in seperating your property from the settlers and the reservations with which it was incumber’d in the deeds to you. He has likewise run out the settlers lots in No. 7. This man has his family with him, and it is probable they will be settlers in this country.

    The packet has been kept running from this to Boston as often as we could procure freights for her. When we came here the last May no previous collections of lumber had been made for our use, thence it was in July before she made her first freight to Boston. This evil we hope to remedy in the insuing season, but this, however, with the high price of seamen’s wages, have been the reasons why so little profit has been made by this operation. The advantage of the communication between this and Boston we have enjoy’d.

    The store being founded on a new principle for this country, that is, giving no credit, had many discouragements in its outsett, but you would now be astonish’d at the effect produced, by exciting an industry, unknown before, which has already cover’d our wharf and landing with shingles and laths, and which if continued to operate, will bring the inhabitants of this country to a state of civilization which gives value to the soil of any country. This operation has been attended with as much success as was expected. These several objects have chiefly taken our attention during the season, and on a review of our transactions, I feel a consciousness that more never was done with the same means in any part of the United States, and I am more and more convinced, that if you continue to operate in the same manner, you will obtain your ultimate views sooner, and at a far less expence than has attended any like operation in any part of America.

    The saw mills Nos. 1 and 2 that are in this town and No. 7 were leas’d the last year under a rent that was to have been paid this last summer and fall, but from unfortunate circumstances attending the lessees we have been obliged to postpone the payment to the next season. We hope these mills in another season will be more punctual in their returns.

    Timber rents—This subject, I am sensible, has ever been with me the burthen of the song, as from my first coming into the country it appeared that the practice of indiscriminately cutting timber was the vilest trespass ever committed on private rights, and it is attended with more banefull effects to the country than the Pandora’s box to our cities; not however so much from the loss of the timber to the proprietors, which however is very great, as from that savageness of manners, which will be continued as long as they follow this business, and so long will be the period that the soil of this country will sell for nothing. Indians do not buy lands. I have been deceiv’d and defeated in almost every instance in which I have attempted to obtain something for the plunder committed on the forrests. Nothing as yet has been receiv’d,’ tho’ some of our agents hold the obligations of these plunderers for a few hundred dollars. We still continue our regulations of this business, in hope that if we obtain but little in return, that they will gradually divert these fellows from this mode of life.

    Settlers—The lots to these people in four of the six townships have been run out, and we are ready to give them deeds whenever they pay for them. Some have been deeded and advertisements have [been] posted allowing a year from last November for them to apply. The number of the inhabitants on the six townships have likewise been ascertain’d; but on this subject, if it can comport with your engagements otherwise, I would have you give yourself no trouble at present, as I conceive the time may come when you may successfully plead a remission of this settling duty on the score of your great exertions and expenditures to effect the settlement of the country far beyond others, all of whom have been exempted from this duty; and some future legislature who may be acquainted with your exertions will, I think very probably, grant your request. In any event you can but pay it at last. This opinion I gave to Mr. Richards some time since who was much pleas’d with it. He told me he should transmit to Mr. Baring.

    Sale of lands—A few lots have been engaged this season, in addition to those I had engaged in the course of the two last years. None of them have receiv’d either deeds of or agreements for the lands, which however will be done in the course of the next season. The whole amount of the lands thus engaged is between two and three thousand acres, and they are to pay one dollar, one and an half dollars, two dollars, four dollars and six dollars per acre. Most of the lots are at two dollars per acre.

    Your deed which I receiv’d the last spring from Shaw is now at the Register’s Office at Castine, as is J. C. Jones’s release of mortgage he had from General Jackson on the lands of Trenton and Mount Desert. When they are receiv’d they shall be forwarded to you.

    Mr. Richards and myself are now contemplating a plan for our operations the ensuing spring, which will probably be up the Union River. As you have expressed doubts respecting your funds in future, I could wish to know your determinations as soon as possible, as measures must be taken at Boston by the beginning of April to make the necessary preparations for the campaign.

    It may perhaps be necessary to mention that Mr. Codman has requested us to draw at 30 days, as it is inconvenient for him to pay on sight. This is an inconveniency to us unless he will be kind eno’ to make the necessary negociations at the bank. At the same time it subjects you to an expence of half per cent more for all the money we receive.

    Among the accounts you will observe a small sketch designed as a concise view of the expences and profits of our operations; I am not certain it is right in the arrangement of the charges. If it is, you cannot be displeas’d with it, and it cannot be far from the truth if it is wrong.

    Altho’ late, you will permit me, with as much sincerity, to congratulate you and Mrs. Bingham on the connection of Mr. Baring with your family, to whom and Mrs. Baring please to present me very respectfully with my best wishes for their future happiness.

    I am dear sir with esteem, your friend and obedient servant

    David Cobb

    P.S. If I should be in Boston in the month of April, I will transmit you my private and loan accounts and I must then request you to advance me one thousand dollars on my next annual stipend, and which you may deposit for my use with a friend there, or in any of the banks, or you may permit me to draw for it. If in the course of the next season I should make any improvements for my use on the interior lands, and which I contemplated, the expence will be such that I shall be under the necessity of requesting your permission to take my whole stipend in the course of the year, and thereby postpone the further diminution of the loan account to the year after.

    Cobb to Baring, Gouldsborough, 22 February 1799 [CP]

    Gouldsboro’ February 22d. 1799

    Alexander Baring, Esquire

    Philadelphia

    Dear Sir:

    Inclosed you will receive a copy of my accounts for the year 1797. They were transmitted to Mr. Bingham soon after my arrival here in May last and I had not a doubt of their being put into your hands soon after they were received; thence you may conceive my surprise when Mr. Richards inform’d me not long since that you had again requested my accounts.

    In the prosecution of any important enterprize, it is as necessary to persevere in the system of operations that have been design’d, as in the first place to form that system, and no embarassment or hindrance whatever should be allow’d to intervene between the commencement and the final completion of the plan. To stop in any stage of the business, is to sacrifice all the expenditures prior to it; thence the necessity of making such estimates and forming such funds as may be compleatly adiquate to such enterprises prior to their commencement. I am very sensible that these observations are only common place, and I should not now have repeated them but from some little embarassment which I feel myself under in consequence of Mr. Bingham’s communications with me in which he represents the difficulty of obtaining funds for our expenditures here, in so strong a light, that I have my doubts, whether in duty to him, I ought to proceed any further in our operations. (It would be farsical to say that this difficulty of his arises from want of means to proceed; it must therefore be occasioned by one of the two following reasons: either a want of confidence in the ultimate result of the enterprize, or in a want of confidence in the agents, the former of which I suspect to be the cause.) If we should continue our operations Mr. Richards and myself have formed a plan of proceeding much the same as the last year—only directing the road making business up the Union River and to make the same establishment there as we have at the Narraguagus, and to extend the last year’s road five or six miles further, into some townships of excellent land where settlements are design’d to be made. I am certain the concern cannot fail of eventual success.

    I congratulate you sincerely [?] on your late connection, and you have my best wishes for your future happiness. Please to present me respectfully to Mrs. Baring.

    The accounts inclos’d were a copy of those sent to William Bingham Esquire in May 1798.

    [No signature]

    Map of the Kennebec Tract in the 1820’s. This map was presumably made at the time when the boom in timber lands was beginning to develop.

    Cobb to Bingham, Gouldsborough, 28 February 1799 [CP]

    Gouldsboro’ February 28th. 1799

    Dear Sir:

    In my letter of the 31st ultimo was inclos’d a concise view of our expenditures etc., of the last year. As I find an error in that, you have now inclos’d one that is more correct.

    Your Kennebec Purchase, from the best information, I have ever consider’d as a valuable tract of land, and I believe it never would have been estimated otherwise if it had not been view’d by a boy, and at a season of the year too when even Eden would have been consider’d waiste. The most valuable and important agricultural settlement in the District of Maine adjoins the south west corner of this tract, the townships on the western line have been mostly sold by the government, and are now in a state of settlement, highly puff’d for the goodness of their soils, and all those of the south line are in the hands of private persons, and are likewise in a state of settlement and puffing. The lands on the eastern side have long been consider’d the best in the District; and yet this strip of 30 or 40 miles square, having one of the best and largest rivers of the country passing thro’ the center of it and adjoining on three sides to land which is acknowledged to be some of the best in the country, is consider’d a poor poverty struck spot. None but fools or knaves can pretend to believe it. If you are anxious for the disposal of this property, I should suppose that Mr. Baring could point out the mode for it, as it is evident that the gentlemen for whom he before purchase’d, intended to have a larger quantity of land than has been obtain’d; and as I suppose the ill fame of this tract only prevented its sale before, that being remov’d, as it justly ought to be, why not now make the purchase if the price can be made agreeable? Mr. Richards entertains a much better opinion of this tract than what he did formerly, occasioned by information he has receiv’d here from persons who have seen it and who have no interest in defaming the property.

    Your lumber has been here, on the landing, ever since last summer. No oppertunity has offer’d for its conveyance and I fear none will. I know of no vessel in this part of the country that intends to visit your port the next season. To convey it to Boston and from thence ship it, will make the freight high, or to charter a vessel here and load her with that and other lumber, may perhaps be equally expensive. Under these circumstances I will wait your directions—it can be disposed of here if you do not want it.

    Mr. Richards and myself have determined to pursue, in our operations the insuing year, much the same mode we did the last, only directing our road making business up the Union River, and make [?] there the same establishment as we have at Narraguagus, and to advance the last years road 5 or 6 miles further into some townships of excellent land on which settlers are to be placed. But you have express’d so many difficulties on the subject of funds, that I am in great doubt, how, in duty to you I ought to proceed. I am clear and decided that it is your highest interest for me to go on, and since the capital of the store and packet are got thro’ with, I am equally certain, that your annual expence, including your agency can never exceed from three to five thousand dollars, and this, if there is any necessity for it, I would almost pledge myself to promise after another year, from our operations here. I am so clear on this subject, that in my last letter I asserted, and I do it with confidence, “that if you continue to operate as we have done the last year, you will obtain your ultimate views sooner and at a far less expence than has ever attended any like operation in any part of America.” However, you are to say, whether this sum, however small, can be afforded, consistant with your other engagements.

    [No signature]

    Ross to Cobb, Union River, 7 March 1799 [CP]

    Union River 7 March 1799

    Sir:

    I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your favor by the mail. Am sorry to find you so lame [?] at contriving. If I was not going from home I think I coud do better. On my return from Castine I will send your mutton. The mail carrier will deliver you a turkey, which is fresh and I believe a pretty good one.

    I shoud like to have a shot at the King of Prussia thro’ the medium of your brandy bottle, but the season and my being a valetudinarian prevents my taking the field.

    Am much obliged by the paper you sent. The gallows have come to hand and tho’ I have no ambition to be dangling at the end of it, yet it answers a good purpose.294

    I am with much esteem dear sir

    Your most obedient servant

    D. Ross

    Honorable David Cobb

    Jackson to Cobb, Boston, 7 March 1799 [CP]

    Boston March 7. 1799

    My friend David:

    This moment Captain Godfrey hands me your favor of the 2d ultimo and altho’ of an old date it was highly pleasing and satisfactory to find you so far through the winter in health and spirits. We have had one of the severest winters ever known in the memory of man, both as to the extreem cold, and the quantity of snow fallen. It has been allmost one continued snow storm since November last. I never knew so much sleighing in one season, and indeed from its present appearance, it will make good the old saying, six weeks sleding in March. The ice and snow is now one foot thick in the streets.

    I think you have acted properly respecting the great man at Philadelphia; nothing but a steady and determined conduct in you, will keep him within the bounds of decincy, and order. Persevere in the good work and all will come right.

    Our friend HK is here. He expects to make such arrangements to be at St. Georges the last of April or beginning of May, bag and baggage and take up his residence wholly in that country. If he is able to effect this great movement it will be one of the most rational and happy operations of his life, both as it respects himself and family, for it never will do for him to go on as he has done, with the enormous expences of two families, without a permanent residence at either, and a total neglect of the immence engagements he has on hand with the Patent. He has effected a settlement with his creditors to the amount of about 2/3ds of his debts, by his mortgaging his land at 7/6 per acre with our bonds payable in four years. The other 1/3d I suppose will come into the same measure, as in fact they cannot do anything better, and it must and ought to be perfectly satisfactory to be made secure in the payment of their debt. This business has been a very great inconvenience and mortification to me, but I am convinced the measure addopted will finally be the best for all concerned. As you regularly receive the news papers I refer you to them for the politicks of the day. Inclosed are a few of the last Centinels. I can also send you some of the latest Chronicles, but as I know the use you would put them to, I will not give you that trouble. By a late arrival at Newport from the West Indies, the captain informs that Captain Truxton in the Constilation had taken a French frigate of 36 guns and carried her into St. Kitts, that they fought two hours yardarm and yardarm. The French had fifty kill’d and wounded, and the Constilation thirteen. This is generally beleived to be true. A day or two will put this matter out of all doubt.295 The nomination of the President of three envoys to treat with the French Republic has given great uneasiness to a certain junto of high Federalists of the day, and who are anxious for war, rather than peace on honorable terms, but the great mass of the people who are staunch and unequivocal Federalist, will support the Executive to the greatest extremity.296

    Altho’ we have had a long and cold severe winter, yet we have had a very lively and brisk one, what with the ringing of the sleigh bells, from morning to night and all night, with the immence number of sleighs and sleds load’d with the produce of country, from Lake George to the Hudson. The town has appear’d like a bee hive in one continual bus. Our balls, assembly, and plays have been kept up with great spirit without once thinking of the yellow fever of the last year or in the least prepared in body or mind for the next visitation. In short we live, as if we never expected to die. On Saturdays we keep up the old round with nearly the same faces—from ten to sixteen in number. I believe we never rise without thinking or saying something about you or Richards, sometimes a little smut with fun and good humour. I shall expect you in April, and have a bed ready for you in my room. My affectionate regards to Richards. Your friends are all well. They anticipate your visit at the time mention’d. My candle is burnt down, my paper run out, and without ink in my pen, Amen.

    God bless and prosper you

    [No signature]

    Cobb to Isaac Parker, Gouldsborough, 12 April 1799 [CP]

    Gouldsboro’ April 12th. 1799

    Isaac Parker, Esquire,

    Castine

    Dear Sir:

    I have receiv’d your letter of the 9th. instant. Mr. Bingham has disposed of one undivided half of the lands he purchased of the State in the counties of Hancock and Washington to Thomas M. Willing and William Cramond, merchants of Philadelphia, the deeds of which sale you may see on record; and myself and Mr. Richards are their joint agents for the sale and management of this property. Our power you may likewise see on record. All actions therefore must be bro’t in the name of William Bingham, Thomas M. Willing, and William Cramond by us their attorney’s and agents. If in the prosecution of any action it should become necessary to trace back the title and to shew how Mr. Bingham holds the lands in question, it will then appear that he purchas’d of the Commonwealth in 1791 and possession was given to Colonel John Tyler, who was imploy’d by Mr. Bingham and who came into this country for that purpose either in 1791 or 92;297 that for the greater conveniency of the parties, the property was convey’d in eight different deeds lodged in escrow, one of which was to be lifted annually on paying the sum specified. These have all been regularly taken up as by contract they became due and are now in possession of Mr. Bingham except the last, which is due the 1st. of June next and contains the lands of the Northern Division. On recollection I am not certain that these eight deeds contain more than one undivided half of the lands purchased. The other half still remains lodged in escrow for the performance of the settling duty within twelve years from the time of the purchase or to be taken up at the pleasure of the purchaser by depositing in the Treasury so much six per cent stock as the whole number of settlers will amount to at 30 dollars each. This circumstance however will probably make no essential difference. The subject of escrow has been but little known or practis’d in the law courts of our government altho’ it is every day business in those of Pennsylvania, thence you will permit me to bring the subject more immediately to your investigation, by proposing the following question: whether a person in possession of property under escrow cannot legally do and perform all that a person can who is in possession of property under mortgage? and whether properly certified copies of deeds in escrow, on record do not give as legal a title to lands in possession as when under mortgage? If however you have any difficulty on the subject, the original deeds can be procured from Philadelphia before September term. Prosecutions must be commenced against these depridators or this country will be unfit for any civilized character to live in. I have persued every mild measure for three years past to no effect. We must now draw the sword of the law and we are determined to thro’ away the scabbord. You must assist us and engage Wild with you.

    You will observe that your actions must be founded on Bingham’s deed to Willing and Cramond, and don’t [?] fail of filling your court at the present term with these fellows. I shall be with you as a grand juror for the town of Gouldsborough.

    Adieu.

    D. C.

    David Wass to Cobb, Columbia, 19 April 1799 [CP]298

    Columbia April 19th 1799

    Dear Sir:

    As it slipt my mind when I was with you I imbrace this opertunity to inquire whether it would be agreable to you for me to pay your taxes this present year in the town of Columbia as I am owing you sumthing of a sume which I hope to have redy by the first of July next. If it should sute you pleas to write me a line. And as to my lott I have seen Mr. Tuper299 and he saith the contents of the gore [?] at the fut of the lot is marked in its place and it may be goined to the lot or not as we pleas.

    I spake to Mr. Townsly300 when he was this way to know whether you had plows fit for four or six oxen. He said he would inquire and if you had any would try to send one by Mr. Todd. I have not heard from him. I am still in want of a good plow, and should be glad to have your price if you expect to have any this sumer.

    From your humbele sarvant

    David Wass

    Parker to Cobb, Castine, 24 April 1799 [CP]

    Castine 24 April 1799

    Dear General:

    I commenced process against all the marauders on Union River whose names were transmitted by Mr. Ross. There are 15 several actions, most of which are against two joint trespassers. Lest there should be an omission of service I persuaded General Hunewell to undertake it, which as it is a pretty good job he consented to do. He returned yesterday after much fatigue having performed the whole tour on foot. He tells me that most of the persons sued are disposed to settle, especially Esquire Jones [?].301 They are to have a meeting soon and determine upon their operations. I think it probable they will conclude to treat with you. Having unfurled the standard of war, it will be for the interest of the proprietors to push hostilities with vigour,’ till submission and compensation are tendered. It will be best for Ross to summon a few of the witnesses this term. I shall write him to that effect. I have informed Wilde that he must hold himself in readiness.

    The mail brings no late intelligence from Boston, the last mail from Portland having been interrupted at Kennebec.

    Remember me to Mr. Richards. Compliments to your family.

    Isaac Parker

    Ross to Cobb, Union River, 6 May 1799 [CP]

    Union River 6th May 1799

    Sir:

    You are by this time I presume arrived at Castine and arranging the operations of the ensuing campaign. I wish you much success.

    James Hopkins, one of the men whom you have prosecuted for trespassing on the lands in No. 8 tells me he owns a hundred acre lot back of his farm which he says you can see by Mr. Peter’s plan, that ’twas from that he logged; and that if he encroached on the proprietor’s lands, he conceived it was on Mr. La Roche, and was safe having made application to La Roche’s agent for the purchase of an other hundred acres contiguous to what he now possesses.302 Be it as it will he says he is willing if the land is yours to purchase it, or if he has transgressed to make amends without a litigation at law. He required me to write you on the subject and wishes you not to enter the action against him, being willing to comply with any reasonable terms. Having fulfilled my promise to him, I leave the rest to your better judgement. I hope you will be able to carry on the war successfully, with as little retospect [sic] as possible to me. I have already got so unpopular that tho’ my carcase is hardly fit for the crows to pick, yet many of my old neighbours woud think me a delicious morsel without either salt or mustard.

    As you will most probably be at General Hunnewills, you will oblige me by presenting him my best respects; that I can now most cordially (from reading the Secretary of States letter in Philadelphia) congratulate him on his army appointment, it carrying something solid with it; that I will think it no sin to quarter myself on him at least for one month this summer; and that I hope he will be always armed cap apee and ready to repel the King of Pruss from his dominions.303

    I am with respect and much esteem

    Dear sir

    Your most obedient servant

    Donald Ross

    Honorable David Cobb, Esquire

    Cobb to Bingham, Castine, 8 May 1799 [BP]304

    Castine May 8th. 1799

    Dear Sir:

    I am at this place attending the Court of Common Pleas for the county, to which we have bro’t a number [of] actions against the people of Union River for trespassing upon the lands. After making use of every mild and persuasive measure with these people for three years past, to no effect, and after the breach of every promise they have heretofore made, we have been compel’d to resort to this painfull and troublesome mode. Some of them that are prosecuted will probably stand tryal, under an idea that you have no just claim to the property. However preposterous this is, it will require your forwarding to me your original deeds that have been lifted from the Commonwealth (this is the opinion of Mr. Parker our attorney). Those on record here are only copies of deeds in escrow. The townships on which these trespasses have been committed are Nos. 8, 14, 20, and 26, Middle Division, and are contain’d in the 1st, 2d or 3d of the original deeds. I recollect that Colonel Tyler was employ’d by you to take possession of this property, but I know of no record of this fact or any paper relative to it. If you have any such, this will likewise be necessary. As we have now begun with prosecutions we shall proceed thro’ the tract to Passamaquoddy, for unless we can git unmolested possession of this property, it can be of no use to the concern.

    I should have been very happy in receiving your approbation of our intended plan of operations, up the Union River, the insuing season, which was mentioned in my last, and I have been anxiously waiting for your letter on the subject. The season has now arrived for opening the campaign, and if any of our proceedings here should not meet with your intire approbation, it would be extreemly painfull to me.

    I have receiv’d a letter from Doctor Cony who wishes to know by what mode a quarter of a township near the south west corner of the Kennebeck purchase could be obtain’d, and at what price, as a number of settlers want to purchase it. This tract is very valuable and requires attention.

    I came from Gouldsboro’ the 4th. where I left Mr. Richards in health and good spirits, attending to our concerns there, and cutting away the spruces for his farming improvements. Our business is such that both cannot be absent. Our packet has returned from Boston by this time, as she sail’d from Gouldsboro’ more than a fortnight since. By her some labourers will be receiv’d, and as soon as the weather will permit our surveyors and road cutters will be at their work.

    Soon after my return to Gouldsboro’ you shall hear from me again.

    I am dear sir, with esteem and respect your obedient servant

    David Cobb

    Cobb to Bingham, Gouldsborough, 16 May 1799 [BP]305

    Gouldsboro’ May 16th. 1799

    Dear Sir:

    I returned from Castine on the 13th. The actions bro’t against the Union River people are continued to September term. Their opposition to your right of soil is a meer pretext, and I have no doubt, that before the next winter they will all come forward for settlement. Whether they do or not, they shall pay smart money sufficient to convince them of the folly of interfering with others rights, and in future be deprived of the only mode which they have depended upon for subsistance. But in any event, it will be absolutely necessary to forward the original deeds from the Commonwealth and such other papers as you may think usefull.

    Inclosed you have my private and loan accounts for the last year, and the deed from Shaw of the last purchases. J. C. Jones’s release of the mortgage on Trenton and Mt. Desert is to General Jackson.306 To him I shall forward it, as he has already deeded this property with warrantee to you.

    Our packet in my absence returned from Boston, and unfortunately bro’t us no labourers for our operations here. The person on whom we depended to procure them, had disappointed us. I shall go up in the packet to Boston where I shall remain’ till her return on the next trip, and I have particularly to request your attention in forwarding a letter to me there, soon after your receipt of this, that I might know whether I have your permission to draw for any part of my stipend, as I requested in my letter of the 31st January last.

    I am dear sir with esteem and respect

    Your obedient servant

    David Cobb

    Honorable William Bingham

    Cobb to Ross, Gouldsborough, 18 May 1799 [CP]

    Gouldsboro’ May 18th. 1799

    Dear Ross:

    Inclosed you will receive fifty dollars on account of your attention to our business at Union River. Your letter of the 6th instant was receiv’d at Castine. The action against James Hopkins was not enter’d. The rest were, and are continued to September term, and then, if your good people cannot obtain such evidence as will thoughly [sic] convince them that the property up Union River is not theirs, they may have them continued farther. We have no objection to their having time for compleat conviction on this subject, as their being hereafter intirely excluded from loging, will thereby set on their stomachs.

    You must cease your fears about your popularity—unless you wish to be chosen representative of a Plantation that has no right to representation, and you must proceed to let out to the persons who have heretofore occupied them, all the meadows up the River, at a reasonable price for the hay per ton, say 1 dollar. If you think this too much, or too [?] little, you may diminish or advance it. But the meadows are to be cut only by your permission, and all those who do it without, shall be prosecuted. You will except the two settlers who live on No. 14. We think you had better advertize this regulation and proceed without fear.

    I sail for Boston tomorrow and intend to be with you the last of June, God willing. Perhaps Mr. Richards may see you in my absence.

    D. C.

    Donald Ross, Esquire

    Union River

    Bingham to Knox, Philadelphia, 25 May 1799 [KP]307

    Philadelphia May 25th 1799

    Dear General:

    By the greatest exertion and with difficulties almost insuperable, I have at length accomplished the payment of the last installment due to the State of Massachusetts, amounting to $32,802.

    When the best notes of this place are discounted at the rate of 2½–3 per cent per month, you may readily conceive the prostrate state of all monied operations. This unfortunate situation of things is principally owing to the immense subscriptions made to the loan, which the speculators cannot dispose of without incurring a very heavy loss. The conversion of so large an active stock into a dead capital, is the cause of this alarming scarcity of money.308

    I inclosed Mr. Coffin, the Treasurer of the State,309 a draft for this payment, which I should have transmitted to you, but from an apprehension that you had taken your departure for St. Georges, where I am informed you were to spend your summer. I had desired him to deliver the bonds duly cancelled to you, which I request you immediately to forward to me. I shall write Mr. Coffin to day, to deliver the bonds to Mr. Codman, in case of your absence.

    In my letter of 24 January last,310 I expressed to you my sentiments relative to the disposal of this property, and mentioned an opinion of the unfavorable tendency of a delay, which every days experience impresses more strongly.

    I expected you would have communicated your ideas fully on this subject, and that as you possess more local knowledge of this species of property than any other person, you would have furnished me with essential information and a variety of documents, in order to enable me more readily and successfully to effect the sale. I find from every quarter that intelligence can be derived, that the Kennebec tract is very much exposed to depredations, and I wished much to afford it protection by having a superintendant, to whose care it might be committed, and whose recompence would not probably exceed a few hundred dollars per annum. But however desirous of making such an arrangement, I have not been able to meet with a proper character, who is resident on the spot, or its neighbourhood.

    If there had been any probability of meeting with purchasers in your State, I am persuaded that you would have informed thereof. I had reason to suppose that this circumstance might have happened, as you informed me that lands were very much appreciating in value, that were situated in the District of Maine.

    I shall immediately carry into operation the measures I projected, with respect to the accomplishment of a sale, on the best possible terms, and I wish the most ample communications from you on the subject. If I am under the necessity of selling on low terms, I will endeavor to reserve part of the eventual profits that may arise in the course of a limited number of years, as well as to reserve the right to the parties of repurchasing, within a certain period, a portion of the same. If I cannot by any means effect a sale, without incurring a loss, I will then use every effort to borrow money, by mortgaging the property. Considering the taxes that these lands will be exposed to311 and the difficulty of preventing depredations on them, which destroy their value, it appears most obviously the interest of the parties, to dispose of them as soon as possible, for it is evident that they can only be turned to account, by being divided into small parcels, and forming settlements thereon. The expence of this process is immense. Besides the salary of our two agents, there have been expended for last years operations, upwards of $20,000 and I can see no prospect of any available returns from the sales to settlers for a considerable time to come.

    No fortune in this country can support the heavy anticipations which a number of such settlements would necessarily occasion, whatever might be the prospects of eventual advantage.

    General Cobb writes me that the Kennebec tract is very valuable and requires attention. I wish every proof and authentic document of the value could be collected and forwarded to me, as it might enable me to obtain a better price. Can you indicate to me the mode of obtaining such evidences?

    General Cobb informs me that Dr. Coney has applied for a quarter of a township (but does not mention the price he is disposed to give), but such small and partial sales would injure the sale of the whole tract, from a supposition that the most chosen spots had been selected and disposed of.

    I should be happy to hear from you as soon as possible and am with sincere regard.

    My dear General

    Yours etc. etc.

    Wm. Bingham

    P.S. General Cobb and Mr. Richards both write me that, considering the great and very expensive efforts that have been made to improve these lands and to obtain settlers thereon, it is very probable that the legislature might be prevailed on to release us from the settling duties which would enable me to possess myself of the remaining deeds. I wish your opinion on this subject and how far you think them justified in their opinions. An attempt, if there is any prospect of success, should at least be made and as much interest as possible procured to support it. There can be no argument opposed to it, from the profits that the parties have made by the purchase, for, taking into consideration the relative value of money, the lands would not bring first cost.

    General Knox

    Bingham to Cobb, Philadelphia, 3 June 1799 [CP]

    Philadelphia June 3d 1799

    Dear General:

    I have to acknowledge receipt of several of your letters, which from various circumstances I have omitted to reply to.

    I observe your exertions in the course of the last season have not been attended with all the advantages which you promised, and which might have been expected from so large an expenditure of money. I hope that no untoward events will intervene to blast our hopes with respect to the progress of the ensuing year.

    At this distance, and without a personal attention to the object, it is useless to enter into a detail of opinion with respect to the various operations that you are engaged in. Your judgment and experience must govern your conduct, and I have no doubt you will exercise your discretion so as to promote our best interests.

    There are some points, however, on which a comment may with propriety be made.

    You mention that you have ascertained the number of inhabitants on the six townships, but you have omitted the report of their amount, which would determine how far my obligation to the State was cancelled on that score. If you are well founded in your expectations of obtaining a remission of the settling duties, from the plea of great exertions to improve these lands, would it not be proper to make an immediate application to the legislature? If all others have been exempted from the payment, it would be peculiarly partial and unjust to compel us to liquidate this claim, who have expended more actual funds in promoting settlement than any other or perhaps all the purchasers of lands from the State. Should General Knox be at Boston, I wish you to consult him on this subject, and procure his aid and cooperation in facilitating the success of the measure. It will be a saving to the concern of more than 70,000 dollars.

    I am very anxious to see a greater progress made in the sale of the lands to actual settlers. I expected your packet would be continually conveying to you persons of this description. The independence of St. Domingo and the intercourse which will arise out of it, which must create a great demand for the various articles which your country produces, afford uncommon encouragement for new settlers. I wish to see all the expences of the settlement arise from the receipt of sales made of the lands.

    I must request you to forward as soon as convenient Shaw’s deed to me, as well as J. C. Jones’s release of mortgage.

    I observe that Mr. Richards and yourself contemplate a plan of operations which has in view a settlement on Union River. I was much pleased with the lands in that district, both with regard to quality of soil and facility of communication. Van Berckel’s claim will be extinguished from the entire failure of Walker’s conditions. A suit in Chancery has been instituted for the recovery of the deed that was lodged in escrow, and I have no doubt of being speedily in possession of the same. There is a very large body of most excellent meadows on the margin of this river which ought to be parcelled out in such manner as to prevent any monopoly of the same. Each farm should be accommodated with a portion and a considerable quantity retained to be disposed of at a future period, when by the settlement of the surrounding country, the lands shall have greatly risen in value.

    I cannot resist the impression made by your declaration and assurances relative to the immense advantages resulting from the continuance of your operations for another year, and the confidence with which you assert that after that period, you will be able to procure from the resources of sales, the necessary funds to continue the system of improvement. I shall therefore concert with Mr. Baring the means of furnishing the necessary sum, to be placed at yours and Mr. Richards disposal.

    The inconvenience and almost insurmountable difficulty of procuring money at the present moment, when commercial and other speculations have carried discounts to 3 per cent per month, operate very strongly against a system of extensive improvements, which require heavy advances, especially when taken into connection with the large sums required for the payment of the annual installments to the State, which cannot be dispensed with, but by exposing us to the necessity of appearing before the legislature, to solicit an indulgence, which would be putting too much at risk, by placing us in their power.

    I wish you would inform me in what manner I can most safely and effectually forward to you the deeds you want, in order to exhibit proof of the property of these lands being vested in me. I hope you will not have occasion for them any length of time, as it is not agreable to have such valuable records exposed to casualties. Would not a certificate of the Treasurer that he had received the amount of the consideration money that the deeds expressed or a certificate of the persons who held them in escrow, that on my compliance with the terms expressed in the obligation, they had delivered me these deeds, be a legal proof of my possession of this property?

    Your letter of the 16th ultimo from Gouldsborough, which you mention in that of the 25th from Boston,312 has not reached me.

    I am not disposed to part with a quarter of a township of land at the southwest corner of the Kennebec tract, which Dr. Cony enquires the price of, as I think it might have a tendency to injure the sale of the remainder, by impressing an idea that this was a favorable spot, selected from the tract. It would not be amiss to procure an offer from the settlers in question, which would furnish some data, by which to estimate the value of these lands.

    I wish you, whilst at Boston, to converse with General Knox on this subject, and indicate to him the means of procuring the best and most explicit documents in recommendation of this tract. I have wrote to him several times on the subject, and it has become a very pressing as well as interesting business, that such proof should be obtained and forwarded as early as possible. I am fully convinced that we cannot expect a more favorable moment for the sale of this property, and my reasons for such an opinion I have fully detailed to General Knox.

    No well founded opinion can be anticipated with respect to the result of such a sale. Much will depend on placing, by incontestible evidence, these lands, in their true point of view. I fully coincide with you in opinion with regard to their value, and am well persuaded, that in the possession of a company, which would expend the necessary sums for their settlement and improvement, they would become eventually a mine of wealth, altho the receipts might not be very extensive for the first few years.

    I have endeavoured by various means to estimate with precision the price at which these lands should be offered, but have been baffled in all my efforts. General Dearborn promised me a sketch of the value of lands that are settled on the river, according to their respective quality, which would indicate some ideas relative to those that are unimproved.313 But he has probably been too much engaged or have forgotten the subject. I have been equally unsuccessfull with respect to an application of the same nature to Mr. Benjamin Vaughan thro’ his brother John Vaughan.314

    I agree with you that this tract is valuable and requires attention, but being unacquainted with all the characters who reside in the neighbourhood, I know no person to whom I could make a proposition to superintend it. I could with vastly more ease, manage and do justice to ten times the quantity of lands in this or the adjoining states.

    I wish some person of credit, who had viewed these lands could give a certificate of their situation and quality. It might have a favorable effect in counteracting the report that was made by Cazenove’s agents, which has made a strong impression in Europe, which it will be difficult to eradicate.

    I shall have the pleasure of again writing to you before your departure from Boston and am with sincere regard

    Dear sir

    Yours etc.

    Wm. Bingham

    General Cobb

    Cobb to Bingham, Boston, 16 June 1799 [CP]

    Boston June 16th. 1799

    Dear Sir:

    On my return here from a small excursion into the country, I found your kind favour of the 3d.

    The idea I intended to communicate in my late observations on the mode of obtaining a liberation from the duty of settlement on the lands of your purchase and which I observe by your letter you do not comprehend was by an application to the legislature in some future period, after you had made those expenditures and exertions that are at present contemplated, and made too in such a manner that the public mind would be possess’d of the fact. When this has been done you may come forward with a tolerable certainty of success, but to apply now to the legislature on this subject will be attended not only with an absolute refusal of your request, but, in my opinion will be a compleat stopper to your ever succesfully making the like application in future, if it do not excite a demand upon you now for what is already become due.

    In conducting the business of your contracts for the settlement of the lands, I have for some time past kept in view that period at which you must come forward and shew that you have placed on the lands the number of settlers required or pay for the deficiency or obtain a remission of the forfeiture thereby incurred; thence you will observe that as your contract for the settlement of the six townships demands the last instalment of settlers to be on these lands in 1798, I have taken that year to enumerate those settlers, agreeably to that direction of the late Treasurer of the Commonwealth, and which amount to 110, that hereafter, if you should finally be obliged to pay for the deficiency, the number can be precisely ascertained. This enumerated list I have now with me, but I think it best not to communicate it to the Treasurer, for if in consequence of it, you should be call’d upon to take up your deeds now lodged by paying for the deficient settlers, you would thereby establish such a president as would probably exclude any prospect of success in a future application for a remission of a like deficiency, in your contract for the two millions of acres. On the whole, as the government at present are asleep on this subject, it is certainly your interest not to rouse them [from] their slumber.

    Nothing less than the original deeds of your purchase can be admitted in evidence to prove the right of property (soil) [sic] to be in you, as the best evidence the nature of the case can admit must be produced; if these deeds were lost or distroyed and proof of this fact was ascertain’d, then the copies of record would be the best evidence, and would be admitted accordingly; but so long as the originals are in existence they must be produced. The best mode of conveying these deeds would be by requesting some gentleman of your city that may be coming this way, to take charge of them to be deliver’d to Mr. Codman or General Jackson, who will see them forwarded to us by our packett or in any other mode you may direct. If I should meet any gentleman going from this place to your city, I will request him to call on you for this purpose. In any event it will be necessary that these deeds are with me in Maine by the middle of August, otherwise I shall be obliged to send an express to you for them, as they are to be used in the second week of September next.

    I have convers’d with General Knox on the subject of the Kennebeck Purchase. He thinks that an agent should be appointed to reside upon the lands, to take care of them, prevent waists, and by his residence to habit the people to the idea of your possession of them, this agent to have a stipend of 500 dollars per annum or less, if a good man can be obtain’d for it, and a place built for his residence. This mode is certainly the first thing you have to do; and you then may determine whether you will dispose of the lands in groce or proceed to the settlement of them in sales by retail. If certifiates [sic] of respectable characters are wanted as to the quality of this tract of land, it will be necessary that some gentleman at Hallowell or from other parts of the River, should be invited to a pleasurable tour up the Kennebeck for ten days or more with proper boats and supplies for the purpose, that they may have an oppertunity of seeing the tract of which you want their certificates; but my private opinion is that the period has arrived in which such certificates or the most elegantly painted maps of countries have ceas’d of their effects in the sale of such property. It is certainly high time that some attention should be paid to this tract of land, and I think you ought not to hesitate in the sale of it, either in small or large tracts whenever purchasers offer, and let them take what lands they please. From those who purchase farms only I would now demand a dollar per acre, and from those who purchase larger tracts, such as townships or parts of townships, I would take less; always having surveyors at hand who can ascertain the quantity sold, and mark on the map the place where; and whenever an oppertunity offer’d for the sale of the whole, or to companies in which you may take a part I would always embrace it; and you may be assured that your partial sales thus previously made, so far from diminishing the value of the tract, will very greatly enhance it.

    As the public appear to be contemplating the establishment of naval posts, and no doubt the executives have frequent conversations on this subject, has it ever occurr’d to you that the port of Gouldsboro’ is one of the best ship harbours in the United States, and having a better tide than any other, unless you go farther east up the Bay of Fundy? The tides are from 15 to 20 and 22 feet.

    If you could remit to me a portion of my stipend I should be gratified, but I shall not draw for it, without your particular direction. I shall return to Gouldsboro’ in the course of a fortnight.

    D. C.

    [On reverse side, crossed out]

    110 settlers

    The omission of the number of settlers took place from the idea that the deeds lodged for the performance of the settling duty were to remain at present unoticed, that in some future day, after your contemplated expenditures in that country have been made, and made in such a manner that the public mind is acquainted with the fact, you might apply, with a probability of success for a liberation from that duty etc.—a certainty of denial if now applied for.

    I never had an idea that our packett was to convey settlers in ship loads to the lands. Before such event can take place, it is necessary that the lands and country should be known, with this communication from Boston, and time only can bring this about.

    I am happy to hear that Van Burkells claim is in any progress for being distroyed.

    The best mode of conveying the deeds will be by some gentleman coming this way. If any goes from here I will request him to take that trouble. If they do not arrive before my departure, let General Jackson convey them or Mr. Codman. No certificate will do if the deeds are in existence.

    Bingham to Cobb, Philadelphia, 3 July 1799 [CP]

    Philadelphia July 3, 1799

    Dear General:

    I received your favor of the 16 June dated at Boston.

    I observe that an application to be made to the legislature for an exemption from the settling duties would at present be premature, and that it is your opinion that in order to insure its success, a more forcible impression with respect to the importance of our exertions should be made upon the public mind. It becomes necessary therefore to wait for a more convenient opportunity. If others, who have contracted little expence and made but slight efforts, have obtained an exemption, we certainly have well founded pretensions to it, who have made such large expenditures.

    In the mean time, I think it essentially expedient that an enumeration should be made, in due and proper form, in order to substantiate the number of settlers and gain the deduction to which we are entitled.

    I have not been able to procure a safe conveyance for the original deeds. I wish you had mentioned the particular deeds, which contemplated the lands in contest as the whole of them will take up considerable space. You will likewise recollect, that altho all the lands are paid for, according to contract, that deeds but for half the quantity have been delivered, the remainder of them, being retained as security for the payment of the settling duties. I shall continue my attention to providing a suitable conveyance for them to Boston.

    I thank you for your sentiments concerning the Kennebec tract. I am well persuaded that it is necessary to have a superintendant placed thereon immediately, to whom a salary should be allowed for his care and attention. He should reside on the tract and make frequent reports of all matters that touch our interests concerning it. I have urged this measure to General Knox, and expected that he would have recommended a suitable person for the occasion, as it is impossible that I should be acquainted with proper characters, who reside in the District. I shall write to General Knox again on the subject.

    I am very anxious to bring this property into a state of high repute, which it so deservedly merits, in order to dispose of it, to the best advantage.

    Without good recommendations and support, I question whether much more than first cost can be obtained for it.

    I shall see the Secretary of the Navy and endeavor to procure his attention to Gouldsborough, as one of the naval ports of the United States.315

    You can draw upon me for five hundred dollars and I will endeavor to remit you an equal sum in a short time. I was never more pressed for funds than at the present moment. If you find a difficulty in drawing, I will remit you a draft on the Branch Bank at Boston, which will be exposed to no loss or deduction.

    Mr. Baring will write to Mr. Codman, to hold an additional credit, at yours and Mr. Richards’ disposal. I flatter myself that the progress you will make in meliorating the condition of our lands, during the course of the present year, will render any future advances unnecessary, and that the expenditures will be provided out of the receipts.

    I am with sincere regard

    Dear General

    Yours, etc.

    Wm. Bingham

    General Cobb

    Bingham to Knox, Lansdowne, 12 July 1799 [KP]316

    Lansdown July 12th 1799

    My dear General:

    I have received your letter of the 30 June. I fully coincide with you in opinion relative to the natural progress of population, and that the Kennebec tract has a fair chance of attracting a full portion of settlers.

    But the principal object is to place these lands in such a point of view as to recommend them to purchasers, who will undertake the expence and trouble of forming establishments on them, when, it is possible, your ideas may be justified in the result, with respect to the price that may be eventually obtained for them, by such an operation. But this is a very slow process, and will require an immense expence in advances, for a considerable number of years, before any return can be expected. My experience convinces me, that none but monied men, with overgrown capitals, should attempt such enterprizes. Their posterity, if not themselves, will be fully recompenced, in the course of time, for their labor and expenditures. I am trying the experiment on a large scale, with the lower tract, and I am sufficiently possessed of data, to form an accurate opinion, of the termination of this business.

    I have always supposed you too sanguine on the subject of lands, not calculating on the various other objects that more powerfully attracted capital towards them, and which occasioned lands to be relatively of very little value. Our speculation has in a great measure failed, by not forcing a sale, at a period when such property was in higher repute, than at present. I wish I could find some monied men who would take these lands at a low rate, contracting to divide the profits, that may eventually attend them, with the present proprietors. There is certainly some consideration to be paid to the operation of public opinion with respect to those who hold immense bodies of land, who do not receive the same degree of protection for their property, as those who are reduced to a more humble scale of possessions.

    The sooner a division is made of such large tracts, the less you expose the proprietors to the emotions of envy and frequently to acts of injustice, which unfortunately are too prevalent towards large proprietors, under republican governments.

    I wish you would indicate to me, a person in whom sufficient confidence could be placed, that would be suitable for the agency of the Kennebec tract. I agree with you that [it] is essentially necessary to have a superintendant to reside thereon, who would watch over the interests of the owners, and convey to them every species of usefull information. Would you recommend an advertisement in the public papers, for the purpose of obtaining such a character, or could a proper person be procured in any other manner? My distance incapacitates me from making such enquiries as would lead to a successfull result.

    I will write to General Cobb on the subject of the road from the Penobscot to join that extended from Gouldsborough. I am fully impressed with its advantages. I wish you to inform me, whether enquiries made of Mr. Benjamin Vaughan, relative to the Kennebec tract, would not be attended with advantages, as his name is well known in Europe.

    With my best compliments to Mrs. and Miss Knox, believe me to be with regard

    Yours etc.

    Wm. Bingham

    General Knox

    Ross to Cobb, Union River, 1 August 1799 [CP]

    Union River 1 August 1799

    Dear Sir:

    Permit me to return you my best thanks for your very beautiful favor of the 18th ultimo which I woud with pleasure have acknowledged long e’er now, had I not known of your absence from home. Am very happy to hear of your safe return and anticipate the pleasure of soon seeing you at Union River.

    Your instructions respecting the meadows I have complied with, which give the gentlemen loggers much umbrage. A few who were not tresspassers say they will apply for permission, rather than risque a prosecution. The season for fresh haying is not yet come on. When it does I will be able to discriminate the sheep from the goats.

    My lambs are in good order, the young turks growing up for the knife, and my mongrels fit for the spit. I wish you to make a trial. Believe me to be

    Dear sir with much respect and esteem

    Your most obedient servant

    Donald Ross

    Honorable David Cobb, Esquire

    Goldsborough

    Bingham to Cobb, Lansdowne, 3 August 1799 [CP]

    Lansdown August 3 1799

    Dear General:

    General Knox in a letter I lately received from him, made known his own and your sentiments, relative to the measures most likely to insure a successfull operation for the Kennebec tract. He dwells particularly on the necessity of engaging a capable, prudent and industrious character, well acquainted with the local state and resources of the country, who should reside on these lands, and have a general superintendance over them.

    He would thereby be enabled to examine and report on the qualities of their soil and the advantages of their situation and prevent any depredations from being committed on the property by the spoliations of lumber or forcible settlement.

    I am well aware of the advantages that will result from the adoption of such a measure, but I am entirely ignorant of the persons, who are possessed of suitable qualifications to undertake such a charge, and to whom I might make application.

    Your vicinity to these lands will enable you to make proper enquiries of characters most likely to answer the purpose; which I shall thank you to do in as ample a manner as possible, the result of which you will please to communicate, as well denoting the persons as the terms on which they might be engaged.

    I have been informed, that Mr. Benjamin Vaughan, after finishing his political career, has established his family on the Kennebec.

    I think he must be a valuable acquisition to that part of the country, as he is possessed of a great variety of very usefull information. If he could be induced to make known his opinion of these lands, it might be very usefull, as relative to the impression, to be made thereby, in the minds of European purchasers. I have no doubt that he entertains the most favorable ideas of this country and its present as well as future advantages.

    Since the intercourse, which has been opened with St. Domingo, the District of Maine will enjoy uncommon benefits, as it furnishes such a great proportion of the articles necessary for the island consumption.317 Lumber in particular and of all kinds will be in great demand, which renders it more expedient to prevent the spoliations, which are continually committing on it. I was highly pleased at the establishment of a bank at Portland.318 I wish another could be fixed at Wiscasset as well as one at Castine.

    Wherever there is an active trade, some what extensive, banks are of immense utility by furnishing a circulating medium and a commercial capital, on the cheapest terms.

    By forming the bank on such a scale as to suit the quantum of business to be transacted thro’ its intervention, no danger to its credit can ever be apprehended, especially when placed under the direction of discreet managers.

    I shall be grateful at hearing from you, as soon as convenient, on these several points, which I have recommended to your attention.

    Your draft for $500 will be duly honoured. I have forwarded the deeds you requested, which you will please to return me as soon as they have served the purposes you intended.

    I am with great regard

    Dear General

    Yours, etc.

    Wm. Bingham

    General Cobb

    Bingham to Cobb, Lansdowne, 13 August 1799 [CP]

    Lansdown August 13th 1799

    Dear Sir:

    I hope you have duly received the deeds which I forwarded to General Jackson, to be conveyed to you in a safe and expeditious manner.

    You will please to pay particular attention to their safety and return them as soon as possible.

    You will inform me of the result of the trial, whenever the suit is determined against these plunderers.

    I feel very strongly the necessity of making some essential arrangements with respect to the Kennebec tract, as well from pecuniary considerations on account of the heavy advances I have made, as the actual state of these lands, which require immediate inspection and an active superintendance.

    If it would not too much interfere with the pursuit of the objects in which you may be at present engaged, I should be happy that you could make an excursion to the Kennebec, and from observation and enquiries be able to ascertain the value and peculiar advantages of these lands, as well as their susceptibility of being settled, from the increasing population and progress of improvements in the surrounding country. I have had such a high character given to me of these lands, from various quarters, that I feel very anxious to have the information investigated, that I may be enabled to draw from them those resources which they are calculated to afford, by the adoption of the most eligible plan for the disposal of them.

    On such a visit, you would have an opportunity, by the information you would obtain, of making arrangements with a suitable person, who would agree to superintend this property, and prevent the spoliations which will naturally be committed on it, if not prevented by the interference of an agent duly authorized for this purpose.

    There should be some weight of character attached to such a person, in order that he may be enabled properly to enforce his views. His time would not be much employed on the objects, as I do not think it altogether necessary that he should reside on the lands, altho he should be in the neighbourhood of them. However, it absolutely requires a visit to the spot, in order to obtain local knowledge and information, for the purpose of deciding on these essential points.

    I will thank you to make known to me as soon as possible, whether it will be convenient to you to make this excursion, and in case, you should do it, I must request you to be very particular in your enquiries and in the report you make of it.

    Remember me affectionately to Richards. I shall write to him very shortly.

    I am with great regard

    Dear sir

    Yours, etc.

    Wm. Bingham

    General Cobb

    Ross to Cobb, Union River, 29 August 1799 [CP]

    Union River 29th August 1799

    Dear Sir:

    I had the pleasure of receiving your favor of the 18th instant on the 26th. I will pay particular attention to your request respecting the business you mention, of which I will more minutely confer with you, shoud I have the pleasure of seeing you on the 2d [?] at [?] Hardisons.319

    That you may not be unprepared, I think best to acquaint you, that an embassy is in preparation, to wait on you soon, with a view to settle the suits commenced by you against the loggers. If it can be done to your mind I wish much it woud take place, tho’ I have a wish to see you much, before ’tis concluded and for several reasons, that is immaterial now to mention.

    The hay cutters in general have taken permissions to cut and given me their obligations to be accountable for the number of tons mentioned in their permits at the rate of seventy five cents per ton. Ninety eight tons is the total number of tons, for which permissions have been issued. Some cut without permission; they are a few only and those of the most rigid in the log business. A few others called in my absence under a pretence of obtaining permits and promised or rather left word at the house that on their return they would call and settle for what hay they got.

    I am with much esteem

    Dear sir

    Your most obedient servant

    Donald Ross

    Honorable David Cobb, Esquire

    Knox to Cobb, Thomaston, 6 September 1799 [CP]

    Thomaston 6 September 1799

    We really seem my dear Cobb, to be at an immense distance from each other. If we cannot visit each other let me have the satisfaction of hearing from you now and then.

    I have been here and hereabouts since the 24th of July. I cannot but be satisfied at the situation and prospects of things generally, relatively to myself. My people are satisfied, and great appetite exists for lands, in this quarter, by people of New Hampshire. All people who desire cheap lands I recommend to you. I see no cause to disbelieve that I may obtain five dollars for all the lands in the incorporated towns, and in populous plantations, as easily as I could one dollar. The settlers on the Patent who want more land do not hesitate at this price. We have had an abundant crop of hay this season, and hope for after grass but hitherto it has been pinched by the drought. The want of water has also occasioned my mills to be mostly unemployed. But we expect to do much this fall having a great stock of logs on hand.

    You must project and execute a visit to us—Mrs. Knox and my daughter want nothing but society. If you cannot come pray entreat Richards to visit us alone. We regret the loss of Mr. Wild and family.320

    They passed two days with us on their passage. My respects to Mrs. Cobb and your family.

    Your sincere friend

    H. Knox

    General Cobb

    Ross to Cobb, Union River, 16 September 1799 [CP]

    Union River 16th September 1799

    Dear Sir:

    On my arrival home yesterday from a jaunt to Mount Desert I found Mr. Peters had left a message desiring I would send Fabrique over to you—and also to have a batteau to take you from Webbs Brook to morrow.321 Mr. Fabrique is from home. Have therefore concluded to send the bearer Jordan322 with this letter, that you might not remain in suspence and that if you had any occasion for his service he might accompany you to Webbs Brook, where a batteau will meet you to morrow about noon and will wait till night should you not appear sooner or send counter orders to day.

    There has been a farmer to see me. He understood you was about commencing a settlement up this river and held out great encouragement. I told him he [should] not amuse himself with hopes of any thing but good land and that for good pay. He has been up as far as Debicks [?]323 and is determined, if you’ll allow him, to settle about Webbs or the Western Branch. He appears to be a farmer bred. He has three stout sons that he will take with him, exclusive of one that is married and will also accompany him. They have got a small stock of cattle also. He is now returned to Sedgewick his place of abode and will wait on you at Castine. His name is Emerson.324 The idea struck me that you might find him a serviceable man. His character can be known by enquiring of Mr. Lee325 on whose farm he lived several years.

    I have settled with a few of the loggers and others woud settle but that they have an idea of obtaining better terms from you.

    Mr. Moon326 who will meet you at Webbs will have a bottle of brandy and a cut of cold lamb to fortify with till you get to better quarters. I am with much respect and esteem dear sir

    Your most obedient servant

    Donald Ross

    Honorable David Cobb, Esquire

    James Richardson to Cobb, Mount Desert, 21 September 1799 [CP]327

    Mountdesert September 21st 1799

    Honourd Sir:

    I take the liberty to inform you that there is a small piece of marsh at the head of our river, belonging to the land which I understand you have the care of, on which there used to be about four or five tuns of hay cut yearly. But it lying common, and no fence round it for 16 years past, it is mostly trod out with the cattle and no hay cut thereon and it will be costly fencing it. But, sur, if you will aprove of it, I will fence it and keep the cattle off. If you will alow me the improvement thereof so long as to pay the cost of fencing, which will be considerable for it will take a mill of fence, besids two watter fences a crose cricks which must be made with floating booms by reason of a strong tide. Pray if you will alow of my proposals send me a line or two by the berer and you will oblige your humble servant

    James Richardson, junior

    Honorable General Cobb, Esquire

    Goldsborough

    Cobb to Bingham, Hallowell, 5 October 1799 [CP]

    Hallowell on Kennebeck October 5th. 1799

    Dear Sir:

    My time has been so intirely occupied by attentions to such a variety of objects, as must plead my apology for not communicating with you since my return from Boston in July last.

    The deeds were duly receiv’d as well as your two letters of the 3d and 13th of August; but we have happily had no occasion for the deeds, for these blustering trespassers finding the period of their ruin approach came, the week before court, and humbly requested a settlement, which from motives of conciliation and future peace we have consented to and have taken their obligations for costs and damages. We have done the same with the Machias people whom we had prosecuted the last summer. This is gaining a great point without half the trouble that has generally been expected.

    I had determin’d previously to the receipt of your letter of the 13th. of August to visit this place at this time and had made arrangements with Mr. Richards accordingly. Since my arrival here I have convers’d with a number of characters about your lands, and they all agree that the tract is very valuable in point of soil, more especially the southern half of it. Some say that it is far superior to the lands in this neighbourhood which are certainly of the first quality; indeed there cannot be a doubt but that the greater part of this tract is equal to any in the District of Maine, and that in my opinion, is saying that it is superior to any in New England. As it appear’d to me of importance that some attention should be paid to this tract this fall, I have made the following arrangements, which the Honorable Judge Cony, whom you know, has engaged to execute, viz., he is to visit the lands this fall, to see as many of the inhabitants as he can that are now on the lands, to obtain the number of the whole as well those who are, as those who are not, entitled to land as settlers, and to make a report, together with his opinion of the general goodness of the soil, its susceptibility of agricultural improvements in point of soil as well as its contiguity to other settlements, and the best, cheapest, and most expiditious mode to be adopted for bringing forward the settlement of the county. When I receive his report it shall be forwarded to you. For this service I have promis’d him an honorable reward. It became more necessary that something should be done with your tract of land upon this river, as I found a clamor and jealousy against you for the neglect of the settlement of it, and our friend Cony among the other great folks was not the least noisy.

    As far as I have seen of the Kennebeck it [is] a very delightfull country, with a soil that is now coming into a state of agricultural improvement that in a short time cannot fail of exceeding any part of the United States that I have ever yet seen. I am informed that the soil is much better on each side, at some little distance from the river, as you go northward, and which is now filling with inhabitance with a rapidity almost equal to what we have seen in the Genesee. These settlements have extended to the township on your southern line where lands are now selling from 1 to 1½ dollars per acre. The proprietors of some of them reside here, who inform me, that they have no doubt of filling those towns with inhabitance within two years without any exertion further than keeping their lands at market. Some of these townships have now thirty families upon them.

    I have visited your friend Mr. Ben Vaughan who resides here with his family. He is truly infected with the mania of Maine—he intends to make this his place of residence for life. His brother John from Philadelphia is coming here to reside as is his brother Sam from Europe.328 He is much [?] of a gentleman and has an amiable family who all appear to be delighted with this country.

    I shall return to Gouldsboro’ tomorrow from whence you shall soon hear from me again.

    I am, etc.

    [No signature]

    John Merrick to Bingham, Hallowell, 13 October 1799 [CP]329

    Hallowell 13 October 1799

    William Bingham, Esquire

    Philadelphia

    Sir:

    In the letter you have done me the honor to address to me concerning the tract of land you own on this river, you ask my opinion of the lands, the means of settling them, and the facility of procuring characters to conduct the settlement.

    My personal observation has never extended to the interior of the tract, but I have been on the Piscataquis River within a few miles of it, also within a mile of it towards its S.E. angle, and within from 10 to 15 miles of every part of its S. line. My opinion therefore of the lands in question is founded almost wholly on conjecture, except as it is built on the accounts of others; and even so far, it is nearly as vague and baseless as my own analogical reasoning.

    The statements that have been made to me by various persons I cannot confide in, and it would of course be triffling to state them. Speaking however in general terms of the country, ’tis well known that W. of your tract, around the Androscoggin and her lakes, the country is mountainous and dreary; towards the N.W., travellers to Canada say much low land exists; in the N.E. are immense lakes; around the S.E. angle and along the S. line, the lands are known to be excellent. Add to these facts, that where the country E. of Kennebec River is known, it is seen smooth and even, with handsome swells, seldom rising to the bold, and never to the abrupt. Between Kennebec and Androscoggin, the features of the country are much stronger. From these materials something like a general conclusion may be drawn: vizt., that your tract probably partakes of the nature of all these points which are known to exist around its outer lines; and that most of these qualities will be found in the neighbourhood of their assigned situations. The evidence of a surveyor, especially a State surveyor, of a hunter, or a traveller, will be found to be partial and defective, as it will necessarily be confined to the outskirts or the streams of the tract, and also to receive a colouring from the objects which lead them there, or the state of mind or comforts they enjoyed there. My own opinion is that the tract will on the whole be found worse than official reports have stated, but far better than the public estimate of it, that tho’ it may prove partially bad from broken shape, defective soil, high elevation, cold neighbourhood, or the prevalence of morass, barrens, or water, yet that parts of it will be found of an excellent quality.

    You have certainly one satisfaction, not universal in these parts: namely, that your lands have few squatters. If the number exceeds 100 (which I doubt), I must still call it inconsiderable; and the solidity of your title (if you compleat it with the State) will render it not only easy to arrange with them, but may turn the incident to your advantage, as many of their farms are in tolerable cultivation. Lumbering will be unknown in those remote quarters, which is a source of our most dangerous race of squatters. The best measure however against them is to put the lands into a regular train of settlement, in order to give the preponderance to men who have a title to the lands they cultivate.

    Another advantage which you possess is, that your estate lies near to an immense tract of land which is to the S.E. well known, and in high request thro’ New England. The effect of reputation in favor of a whole country is great with the distant adventurer, who cannot be informed of small objects, and who foresees the conveniences and benefits deriveable from a growing population and from lands being in good esteem.

    The Kennebec River, winding thro’ a course of near 100 miles within your lines, carries many benefits with it to your tract.

    I might enumerate also among the advantages which your land possesses, those which arise to it from the state of cultivation, and from the trade of the lower parts of the river.

    Allow me here to observe that the points of the Million Acres which can be said to be known in the slightest degree are few and distant. What is the practical inference to be drawn but that it is the measure of a prudent man to examine before he acts? Little, very little is known of the tract. Permit me then earnestly to recommend that your ground be searched and scrutinized by men of cool judgement, and veracity, to enable you to determine how far, and where, your efforts should be directed, if you retain your Purchase. A man probably is not to be met with who can or who will give you a just account of the whole tract. I admire the District of Maine, and shall be gratified by every exertion that encreases her prosperity, whether my own interest is promoted by it or not. But I am impelled to repeat my entreaty that an examination may be made of those parts of the tract in question where your operations are to begin, before you commit yourself for any expensive settlement.

    The leading questions which your 2d. enquiry involves are whether the whole of the Million shall at once be brought into view, and settled, by an extensive and complicated operation? or shall the settlements be gradual commencing with a limited number of townships, and the progession [sic] of it be regulated by contingent events?

    The first mode appears to me to be unnatural and almost impracticable; and also profitless, because enormously expensive.

    I will state a few reasons on which I ground my preference of beginning with a few townships and extending the number according to circumstances. These I shall state as they rise spontaneously without waiting to arrange or connect them.

    1. 1st. ’Tis imitating the operations of nature, and therefore wise and profitable.
    2. 2d. The uncertainty of your information concerning its interior parts renders it prudent.
    3. 3d. There is a moral certainty that the whole tract is not of an uniform quality. By beginning with some of the best parts and those most commodiously situated, a general good name will be established for the whole. 4th. The lands in this country settle spontaneously by means of an internal population, and by an accession of adventurers. From these two sources perhaps about 700 new settlements may be annually made on the Kennebec country and its dependencies. Quere. What proportion of these will your tract get, under the obvious disadvantages of its northern situation and unknown value?
    4. 5th. Will it not be injurious to its credit and value to begin with an extent of land disproportionate to the population to be thrown upon it?
    5. 6th. The mode of settlement will thus be simplified.
    6. 7th. The profits will be greater, a better price will be given for the whole gradually, and you have a fairer chance of keeping the whole in your own hands, because:
    7. 8th. Little advance will be necessary, few associates, and but one agent if a plan of gradual settlement is adopted.

    By beginning the operations at the S. line you may for the present take advantage of roads, mills, provision, stores and other conveniencies which already exist in the neighbouring towns.

    I will also add that as returns will be slow, and distant, ceconomy and foresight become more necessary.

    Having stated a few reasons for confining the commencement of your intended settlement to a few townships, I should next be naturally led to detail the order of the first operations.

    In so doing however there is some danger of my exceeding your wishes, and interfering with some favourite plan. If any apology is necessary I beg you to beleive that proceeding to it arises merely from the hope that my knowledge of this country may enable me to add my mite towards maturing your own plans.

    I recommend then

    1. 1st. An examination of the South Division of the tract in order to discover those parts of it in which the settlement can be begun to most advantage.
    2. 2d. A survey for the purpose of cutting roads.
    3. 3d. Cutting roads.
    4. 4th. Erecting mills.
    5. 5th. Settling with squatters.
    6. 6th. A gradual examination of the parts that lie more remote.

    The previous examination which I have pressed may, if you prefer it, be confined in the first instance to a tract extending along the S. line, and up the river, as far as you are inclined to offer for the first stage of the settlement. This plan however ought not to be acted upon unless authorized by the reports of the first examination.

    I will proceed upon the supposition that the lands contiguous to the S. line will be found favourable for settlement. For if they should hereafter appear to be unfavourable, yet you will be possessed of my idea of the best direction for the first road, and enabled to adapt it (if approved) to any new plan.

    John Merrick’s Plan for the Development of the Kennebec Million

    1. 1st. Begining at Kennebec River, I propose that a road should be cut at one mile distance from the S. line of the tract, and parallel to it, to the East and to the West, and having reached the E. line of the tract, it should be bent to a S.E. course and carried by permission of Messrs. Odier and Co.330 through No. 5 of 5th range (perhaps Messrs. Odier and Co. will assist). At about 5 miles it will strike a new road known by the name of Elkins’ road which road will soon be open to Penobscot River. Again proceed from the Kennebec River westerly on the same course and distance from your South line, and when you approach your W. boundary let the road be cut southerly to join the Farmington and Sandy River road. Hereafter other roads may be cut parallel to this one and to the northward of its proposed course, if further acquaintance with the tract will justify it, but the first road I would recommend to be forced thro’ without regarding small obstacles. One important one however may be avoided if you wish it (I mean the expense of throwing a bridge over Sebasticook main stream, say $300). This may be avoided by using a bridge about 5 miles off, that will probably be soon built in No. 3 south of your tract.

      I beleive I have hinted before that the interest of your tract will eventually be bound up with the interests of Kennebec River. “Why then cut towards Penobscot?” Because it will be the most popular direction you can give it. The lumberers on Penobscot River receive a part of their subsistence from the vicinity of this river. They give high prices for produce and of course a fever rages thro’ all our new towns to go to that market. Your lands will sell better by enabling your settlers to go there.

      I would also propose to join the West end of your road to Sandy River, because the lands on that river are in great repute, and of course land hunters when they are at Sandy River will be tempted to visit your lands, if there is a road open, and the more so if that road is a thoroughfare.

    2. 2d. From this road I would recommend sundry cross roads branching off towards the S. and joining the various roads that already exist in the range of townships to the southward of your tract.
    3. 3d. From this road, I should also say, let a road be cut towards the north beginning Number 1 at 1 mile from your East line, Number 2 at 2 miles from Number I, Number 3 at 2 miles from Number 2 and so on to the river, cutting or marking a road to the northward at intervals of 2 miles, and 1 also on each bank of the river. The reason I will assign presently.

    As to the roads themselves they need only be cut wide enough to allow a sledge to pass in winter and wheels in summer. The settlers will soon lay open the mud holes to the sun and air for their own comfort.

    Let the lots be butted on the several roads. The size of the lots perhaps may be advantageously made 200 acres each. One hundred is the common quantity, but most setlers wish for 200. The second hundred may be sold conditionally, and made to depend on the payment for the first hundred. But the possibility of getting 200 acres will add to the popularity of the tract.

    While your surveyor is runing out roads, and marking lots upon them, he may also run out certain larger and arbitrary divisions to form townships. Six miles square is the common quantity.

    I will annex a plan of the manner in which I would propose to run out the lots.

    This plan is intended roughly to assist my description and proposals. It represents 6 miles square. I have said “Carry the East and West Roads at one mile from the South line” because that distance will allow room for the lots to be 1 mile deep, then 100 rods from it will leave every lot 200 acres—and keep the advantage of it to yourself. Lots SS are proposed for immediate sale, PP to be reserved for a better price. I need not fill up the whole square.

    ● means where settlers may divide for themselves, without your going to so much additional expense.

    I have already stated the common and natural increase of the Kennebec country. Land holders generally sit at home waiting the issue of a public advertisement, or private correspondence. I would propose that your agent should travel through New England states, generally at a judicious distance from the sea coast—I mean at that distance at which he would be most likely to meet with both industrious settlers, and settlers with cash at command. On these journies he might form connections, make himself and lands known by drafts, conversation, hand bill advertisements and other mode of publicity. To such an experiment as this, I should look for the expeditious peopling that extensive district.

    Another means of settlement I propose is making contracts with certain influential characters that may be found who would readily engage to find any given number of settlers, on condition of more extensive sales to themselves, say of 1 or 2,000 acres.

    Better terms may be made with such persons, by giving them assurance of incorporating a town by their names on certain conditions of settlement.

    An agent will have ample time for such objects, if cutting roads etc. etc. are executed by contract. Of this hereafter.

    Having set thus fire to these various trains, it will be necessary to attend to the erection of mills—saw mills and grist mills are closely connected with the necessary’s of life. Various expedients may be substituted for these important objects to save time to the settlement, and to guard against expense without sacrifising the settler’s comforts. I mean a wheel over the side of a boat, sending up a few steel mills on the principle of our coffee mills, saw pitts and saws etc. etc. Such things will always be useful.

    Settlements with squatters will be easy if done on liberal terms. Some of yours I suspect are quieted because on before A.D. 1784.

    Having regularly commenced your settlement, information will easily and gradually be obtained of the interior for future operations.

    I omitted to observe that if you think it best to settle a colony high up in the tract it must be sufficiently large to be able to keep the roads open thro’ the winter.

    Allow me now to review what I have written in order to bring the expense into one point of view.

    1st. Roads can be cut in some situations for $8 per mile. In other situations the expense will encrease manyfold. Say thro’ an extent of 40 miles the amount will average $15 per mile exclusive of large bridge and long causeways. On the larger streams, a ferry boat may be kept by a setler. Or a flying bridge may be made for travellers to use.

    If you adopt the plan I have proposed the roads required to be cut will be as follows:

    East and West

    40

    S.E. to join Elkins’

    5

    S. to Farmington

    5

    Sundry roads to town, roads already existing, uncertain, say

    40

    Sundry North roads on which lots are to be butted

    100

    Contingencies

    10
     

    200

    200 miles @ 15

    $3,000

    Sundry causeways and bridges

    3,000
     

    $6,000

    Six thousand dollars will give the settlement a very handsome start as relates to this object. To meet this expense, I hesitate not to say that the lands will readily be taken in payment for labor on these objects @ 50/100 per acre. Perhaps a better price would be given, but I have little hesitation to state it at that price.

    2d. Mills. Persons also will be found without difficulty who would contract to erect mills at their own cost and risk, and as their own property; provided the proprietor of the land would assist, by a present of iron works, mill stones, or by an equivalent in cash. By a gift of 250 dollars, and in some cases by a gift of 3 or 400 acres of land, mills (1 saw and 1 grist in the same frame) might be procured to be erected to the great œconomy of the concern.

    The number of these mills in the first instance is unknown, perhaps neighbouring mills are sufficiently convenient. A mill (saw and grist) should exist within every 6 miles square, say 4 only for the tract in question, the expense of which will be $1,000 cash advanced, if no part can be paid in land.

    3d.

    The examination I have suggested I will call

    $200
     

    The survey of the same, say 6 townships

    800
       

    $1,000

    Here then for 2,000 dollars advanced, and 12,000 acres of land, the leading necessaries of the settlement are provided, and an additional value of 20/100 per acre is immediately attached to an extent of 40 miles by 6, diminished by 12,000 acres, and the expense of agency.

    I beg leave to add that I do not write from mere theoretic knowledge of the business. I have been concerned in the practice of settling land. I have contracted within a few months for erecting 2 grist mills, 2 saw mills, and the cutting of about 30 miles of road. The lands have paid every expense except $150 advanced in cash. The heaviest part of your expenses will come out of immediate sales or contracts, tho’ it is probable that the situation of your lands will render a greater sacrifise necessary. Tho’ the objects can be effected without money, in some cases they can be more profitably done with ready money.

    You will do me the justice to remark that I am not advising a niggardly mode of settlement that shall destroy its own listless efforts, but that I am pointing out the practicability of an effective settlement, without a distressing advance of capital.

    Till the plan you will pursue is stated I cannot speak of the “facility of procuring characters to direct it.” Different plans require variety of talent to carry them into execution. From what I have written, and from my known character, you will judge of the degree of confidence you can place in me. In return, when I have your plan before me, I shall be able to decide with more certainty of my own capacity for the employment.

    When I thus offer myself for an agency which will involve an high degree of confidence, it becomes me to remove from your mind, every suspicion of the existence of a rival interest. Personally I have none, and as for the business I am conducting for Mr. Charles Vaughan and the Hallowell family, the only object I have engaged to effect, will probably be effected in three months—in one I could do it if necessary. I therefore may fairly state myself to be at liberty to treat with you.

    John Merrick of Hallowell

    Would-be Agent for William Bingham on the Kennebec

    Portrait by Henry Inman

    If there are any services I can perform for you on this river, you may command, sir

    Your obedient servant

    John Merrick

    Ross to Cobb, Union River, 29 October 1799 [CP]

    Union River 29th October 1799

    Dear Sir:

    I had the pleasure of receiving yours of the 21st instant from Bluehill and will comply with the instructions therein mentioned. Mr. Coolige331 has just made his appearance, and am very glad of it for in this starved part of the world the best of turks I concluded woud soon produce a famine. I have sent by Mr. Coolige three dozen turkies, two dozen fowls, and 2 pair of ducks with a half bushel of corn for their subsistence. I heartily wish they may arrive safe and meet your approbation.

    I hope you and Mr. Richards will find it convenient to spend a few days with us at Union River previous to the opening of our approaching frozen campaign. I dread the very thought of six months shinburning locked out from the world and society. If you have any compassion you will contrive to let me have the perusal of a few books to which Mr. Richards I hope will contribute. I will take particular care of them and see that they are safely returned. If you have any further communication to make respecting the logging business you will please do it by the mail or any good opportunity that occurs. Mr. Richards proposed your sending me a joint letter which woud comprehend my instructions and the authority derived from you, which I might on occasion have ready to produce to some of our bashaws. I wish you every comfort and happiness your heart can desire. My best respects attend Mr. Richards and your son, with the rest of your good family, to whom I have not the honor of being known.

    With great respect I am dear sir

    Your most obedient servant

    Donald Ross

    Honorable David Cobb, Esquire

    Cobb to Bingham, Gouldsborough, 11 November 1799 [CP]

    Gouldsboro’ November 11th. 1799

    To William Bingham, Esquire

    Dear Sir:

    My last letter was of the 5th. ultimo from Hallowell on the Kennebeck, in which I inform’d you of the directions I had given Doctor Cony respecting your lands on that river. Whilst I was there I was applied to by a physician from a town on the Androscoggin River to know at what price 3 or 4000 acres of land, in one of the southwestern townships of the Million Acres, could be obtain’d for, as he and 20 more families intended to settle there if the terms could be made agreeable. I told him that the price to settlers would be 1 dollar per acre, but where such numbers went first on the lands there might probable be some allowance, but that the lands could not be dispos’d of’ till the townships were run out which it was your determination to do as soon as possible. They had seen the land and were much pleas’d with it. On my return, I rode in company with a person who resides not far from the southeastern part of the Million Acres. He inform’d me that in the course of the last summer a number of families, say 10 or 12, past his house on their way to reside on this tract, as they preferr’d it to the lands below, and that they were particular in their inquiries to know where they could obtain a title to the lands. I mention these two accidental circumstances of information from opposite parts of the tract, seperate from any other evidence, to convince you and others that as a body of land it is probably of the first quality and that it is now placed in a situation which of all others you would prefer, being in the midst of the tide of immigration from the West, and which if properly improved, by given titles to the settlers as they come, will ultimately give you a much greater profit than you ever contemplated from the Purchase; but if neglected, will deluge that country with inhabitants, to eject whom, after a short possession will cost you more trouble, more danger, and more money than the property is worth.

    From this view of the subject and from your known anxiety respecting these lands, I will take the freedom to communicate such a system of measures as I think are necessary now to be pursued, and which by comparing and uniting with those that Doctor Cony may hereafter report, will enable you to form such a mode of management as will be the most satisfactory to you. As I conceive it is your duty, as you stand relatively to the Commonwealth, so it is your highest interest that something should be immediately done with those lands; and I cannot conceive that any measures you may persue can in the least interfere with any future sales you may make of this property either to an individual or companies. As to the expence, it is not worth mentioning, the most of which, if not all will grow out of the operations, after the first year; and as to the objection you have heretofore made that by the sale to settlers it would scatter your property into every body’s hands, you have only to reflect which of the two evils would be the least (in addition to what I before observ’d), to have your property thus scatter’d, or to have it taken from you by a virulent system of taxation instigated by jealousy and revenge for not attempting, agreeably to the spirit of your contract the settlement of that country. The measures I would propose are the following, viz.:

    First. The first range of six miles wide on the southern line of the tract, being 23 miles on the west and 16 miles on the east of the river should be run out into townships of 6 miles square, beginning at the river and most of them, if not all, into lots of one hundred acres each or ½ mile squares each; and so to run out any townships in the 2d range that are in a state of settlement. I have inquired at what surveying could be done for on the Kennebeck, and am inform’d that they run townships into one hundred acre lots for 200 dollars, provided the outlines of the township have been already run, and will return two good maps, with the course of the streams and the quality of lots mark’d on them. As the outlines of these townships have not been run, it may perhaps cost 40 dollars more, and

    Secondly. An agent should be appointed who resides on or near the tract (the more respectable the character the better), with a small stipend of from 2 to 500 dollars per annum, who should generally superintend as to surveys to be made, procuring the surveyors, and pointing out to settlers the lots they may occupy, always having by him one of the plans returned by the surveyor and the terms on which they may be purchas’d, etc.

    Thirdly. Another agent should be appointed in whom you can with confidence place the power of giving deeds of these lands to the settlers after they have been contracted for by the sub agent. [This sentence crossed out.]

    To make the system compleat it will be necessary that some person, in whom you can place a confidence, should be empower’d to give deeds to the settlers when they pay for their lands, and this business, if agreeable to you, I will undertake to do, and indeed to put into operation any system that you shall finally determine upon.

    It is the opinion of Mr. B. Vaughan, Doctor Cony and others, with whom I frequently convers’d, that if your lands were run out into lots for settlers, you would have from 50 to 100 families upon them annually. Some allowance however is to be made on Mr. Vaughan’s opinions, as he is as sanguine and as enthusiastical respecting this country as myself.

    You may perhaps recollect what I have frequently mentioned in conversation and occasionally in my letters that the Kennebeck Million would be fill’d with inhabitance before this tract would have any important impression made upon it by natural emigration, and that an interior situation of country under like circumstances, would, in a given time, rise faster in value than a sea shore country of the same extent. The time I believe is now come when some of these observations, if not all, will be verified.

    The action which I had commenced three years since against the ancient proprietors of Trenton was determined at the last Supreme Court in this District, by which the Commonwealth are repossessed of the township, thence the grant to De Gregoire, under which you hold, is substantiated. The execution for the possession of the township and for costs was forwarded to me sometime since by the Attorney General. It has been put into the hands of the proper officers for a regular compleation of the business.

    At the close of the year our accounts will be forewarded at which time I will give you a detail of our proceedings for the season.

    I was in hope that my friend Richards would have gone to Philadelphia this winter with whom you would have had a conversation respecting our proceedings here, but I suspect his prospect of hymenial pleasures with the amiable Miss Jones of Machias332 during the cold season of our climate, has many more charms than a cheerless, dreary journey to Philadelphia.

    I am dear sir with esteem and respect

    Your obedient servant

    D. C.

    Ross to Cobb, Union River, 19 November 1799 [CP]

    Union River 19th November 1799

    Dear Sir:

    I have been for some time expecting the honor of your commands, and indeed the season has proved so mild that I have had the presumption to anticipate the pleasure of a visit from you and Mr. Richards. I have now almost despaired of that honor for this season.

    Agreeably to your directions from Bluehill I have affixed advertizements in the most publick places respecting the logging. I have no reason to think that the people this way will attempt to log or cut any timber without permission first obtained. I have given permission to Mr. Dutton333 to cut thirty tons of oak timber and three thousand of staves. I have for his obligation for the proprietors part at the rate of 50 cents per ton and for the staves at one dollar forty cents per thousand. Shoud I not have done right, please advise me.

    On the lower part of Trenton there has been a very open and barefaced trespass, committed this last week on your lands by John Gilpatrick and a certain Berry.334 They hauled 100 logs, and I think ought to be made an example of, either by law or making them settle at a higher [rate] than the others, as they now can have no colour of excuse.

    I have not learnd in what order you received the poultry, their number or whether you received the letter I sent with them by Mr. Coolige. I have to return you my best thanks for the box sent by Fabriques boat. I have had in contemplation to write Gilpatrick and Berry, but think best to wait your further orders.

    I have the honor to be

    With much respect

    Sir, your most obedient servant and friend

    Donald Ross

    Honorable David Cobb, Esquire

    Cobb and Richards to Ross, Gouldsborough, 20 November 1799 [CP]

    Gouldsboro’ November 20th. 1799

    Dear Sir:

    We intended to have forwarded to you our advertisement regulating the loging business up the river for this winter, but upon reflection it is not only unnecessary, but would have a tendency to lessen your importance as our agent. You will therefore sett up your advertisements as our agent, demanding one tenth of the boards made from the logs at the mill, and that they do not go above the falls on the Western Branch to obtain them. All persons are to have your permission for cutting logs, and those who do not obtain it, shall be prosecuted. You will take care in all such cases to obtain proper evidence of the trespass.

    As it is our intention that an honest tenth shall be accounted for, we have made an arrangement that all the logs cut shall be inspected and numbered, which inspection will be returned to you that you might know of whom to demand and how much you are to receive, and we expect that our proportion of the boards in the spring will be among the first that is is deliver’d at the mills, as well as the amount of what you already hold against those with whom you settled the year past.

    We have been informed that it is the intention of some of your people to cut oak and other hard wood timber from off our lands up the river. This must absolutely be prohibited. If timber is wanted from the forest, let them purchase the land on which it grows, and not live eternally on plunder.

    What has been done with Smith against whom the execution rests at Castine?

    You will be pleas’d occasionally to have an eye on old Job Anderson335 and others in Trenton who are too fond of cutting wood from lands not their own. No permission is to be given in future to any body for this purpose. That Smith, who is on a lot in that town, occupies it for no other purpose than plunder, and a brother of his is on another for the same purpose.336 These people we must deal with in some way or other. The sooner they are out of the country the better.

    Fabrique will occupy at the western falls this winter. He has our permission to log there. He will be there making preparation for the dam and mill to be erected the insuing year, and he will inspect the logs that are cutt by others and make return to you. You may converse with him on the subject.

    The cargo of poltry was receiv’d; we are much obliged by your attention to this business.

    We are with esteem

    Your friends and obedient servants

    C. and R.

    Cobb and Richards to Ross, Gouldsborough, 26 November 1799 [CP]

    Gouldsboro’ November 26th. 1799

    Mr. Donald Ross

    Dear Sir:

    By the last mail we receiv’d your letter of the 19th. instant. It was our wish to have preserv’d the hard wood timber on your river; and as it was not the custom of the inhabitants to cut such timber it was never given you in charge to prevent it. You are therefore not to blame for permitting it. Whatever engagements you have made with Mr. Dutton must be complied with, but we request you in future to give no such permission. Indeed it is not our wish to sell any kind of timber whatever, and it is only to oblige those who are accustom’d to live by gitting lumber that any permission is given to them.

    You will be pleas’d to call upon Gilpatrick and Berry for their trespass in Trenton, and if they do not settle with you to your satisfaction, have them prosecuted at the next term. Mr. Wetmore or Mr. Nelson337 will send you the writs on application.

    You are only obliged to Mr. T. Cobb338 for the box that came in Fabrique’s boat. Our forgetfullness prevented your receiving an additional one.

    Our visit to Union River must be postpon’d, we fear for the season.

    We are, with esteem

    Your obedient servants

    C. and R.

    George Virutho to Cobb and Richards, Union River, 26 November 1799 [CP]339

    Union River November 26th. 1799

    Gentlemen:

    Having a great notion to purchase a tract of unsettled land for farming buseniss only, and being informed that there is very good soil up this river, I there fore beg leave to request of you the reasonablest and lowest terms for about 5,000 acres, and when your [c]onditions will suet me I shall bring next spring from Germany a parsell of good labourers, tools, ustensels etc. to settle it immediately. Please direct answer to Care of Mr. Thomas Brewers340 Boston and I remain with respect

    Gentlemen,

    Your most obedient servant

    George Virutho

    To Messrs. Cobb and Richards

    Goldsborough

    Bingham to Cobb, Philadelphia, 10 December 1799 [CP]

    Philadelphia December 10th 1799

    Dear General:

    I have received your favor of the 11th November from Gouldsborough, which conveys a more detailed account of your excursion to Kennebec than was mentioned in your last letter.

    I am fully impressed with the importance of lands in the neighbourhood of the Kennebec, and I have a proper idea of the advantages which will result from a proper attention to the improvement of this district. I have had a correspondence with Mr. Merrick (a brother in law of Mr. Vaughan) on this subject, who has been much employed in settling lands in this neighbourhood, and it is probable that I shall speedily adopt some mode of commencing an operation of this nature by having some of the townships (most advantageously situated) surveyed into small lots of a convenient size for farms.

    But the object I have principally in view is to dispose of the whole of this tract to a company who, by dividing the concern, will make it more convenient to them to incur the expence of improvement, and to wait for such a length of time, for the slow returns, produced by the usual mode of selling this kind of property. There are no American fortunes equal to such an undertaking without embracing a great number of individuals and unfortunately those who have money are but little disposed to invest it in such objects.

    I have therefore been making every effort to find some European purchasers, but hitherto without effect, altho I am willing to take a price far below what its value was ever estimated at. On the 1st July last, the ballance due me for cash advances, including interest, beyond what has been received from Mr. Baring, amounts to $181,032.28,341 independent of which, there is a large sum due from General Knox, for his obligations for monies lent him, amounting to nearly $50,000. Under these circumstances, it will naturally occur to you, that I must from this property find the means of reimbursement.

    Your ideas on the best mode of commencing operations for the settlement of these lands, are very clear and correct and I am much obliged to you for the same. In case of determining upon a plan of this kind, they will be very usefull to me, as your experience will be the best guide. I shall wait with impatience for Dr. Coney’s report, after his examination of the subject, and I wish you to give me your opinion of the characters, which I could most easily engage and who would be calculated for the purpose of superintending these lands, and having them surveyed, as well as placing settlers on them.

    From Mr. Merrick’s manner of writing and his acquaintance with pursuits of this nature, I am disposed to believe he would be a suitable person for such an undertaking; however it is difficult to judge whether he possesses the requisite qualities, without the advantage of a personal acquaintance with him.

    You probably have seen him in Mr. Vaughan’s family, and can give me some ideas with regard to him, as calculated to direct my opinions on this point, which I wish you to convey to me, as soon as convenient.

    I am sorry to find that our settlements do not make greater progress in your neighbourhood.

    Altho the situation is more distant from the sources of population than the lands more westwardly, yet I supposed that the facility of conveying their person and effects by water, would tend greatly to give a decided preference to your position.

    Your opinion of the Kennebec tract, with respect to its fortunate situation for attracting settlers is a very agreable circumstance and would have rendered your letter a document of great consequence, if you had not interspersed so many discouraging remarks, relative to oppressive taxation, the deluging the lands with inhabitants, whom it will cost more to eject than the lands are worth, which made it inexpedient to exhibit your letter, where I wished to make an impression, and unfortunately I am so divested of documents to counteract the tendency of the malicious report (founded on views of self interest) made by Cazenove’s agent, that I am deprived of a fair chance of obtaining a proper consideration for this property, or of procuring any monied men, to ease me of so heavy a weight, by taking an interest in the tract, and joining in the expences of settlement.

    I am happy to find that you have gained the action commenced against the ancient proprietors of Trenton, and that you will, of course, obtain possession thereof. Van Berckel’s pretensions will soon be at rest and the lands he claims may be turned to account. I think it would be adviseable to commence operations as soon as possible, on Union River, as the lands in that quarter are exceedingly valuable, as well from local position as fertility of soil.

    I wish you to return me, by some safe conveyance, the deeds that were forwarded to you, for the establishment of my claim to the different townships where depridations on the timber had been made.

    I wrote to our friend Richards lately, and congratulated him on his expected marriage. It was truly a surprize. I recollect the young lady, and admired her exceedingly, on our visit at Machias, but little thought at that time, she was destined to be so nearly connected with one of our party. She is very fortunate in the choice she has made, as very few persons possess so many amicable and valuable points of character as Richards.

    I mentioned in my letter to him, an idea that I have long entertained, of the advantage that might result from establishing a board and lumber yard, on a large scale, at Gouldsborough, where might be collected all species of boards, scantling, plank, ship timber, masts, spars etc., which the country afforded, and where vessels might be sure of obtaining such assortments as would suit the markets they were destined for. Every article of this nature has risen very much in value in Europe and will continue extravagantly high, from the vast consumption that the war has occasioned. A commerce of this kind, if it could be carried on, with any prospect of profit, would be attended with another advantage, that of pushing forward the rising fortunes of Gouldsborough, by introducing a number of persons of different pursuits, who would be desirous of seeking employment in the busy scenes that such an establishment would occasion. I wish you to communicate your opinion on the subject, and to inform me whether any objections offer to the plan in question, and if it is practicable, whether it would take much time to make the previous arrangements to carry it into execution, and whether this is the most convenient moment for the purpose.342

    I am with sincere regard

    Dear General

    Your obedient humble servant

    Wm. Bingham

    General Cobb

    Ross to Cobb, Union River, 11 December 1799 [CP]

    Union River 11th. December 1799

    Dear Sir:

    I had the honor of receiving both of your letters by the mail. I woud with much pleasure avail myself of your invitation to meet in Congress on the affairs of Europe and give the King of Pruss a final blow, but the reason that you have for not visiting Union River is much more potent with me.

    I have called on Gilpatrick and Berry and took their obligation for $17.50 payable in six weeks. John Harding Junior343 has been also trespassing (tho’ he says by permission from Blunt).344 Be that as it may, I called on him and he has paid me $11 for 33 cords of wood and 50 spruce logs. Kilpatrick and Berry’s logs were also spruce.

    Anderson at Oak Point and some others round there I will endeavour to find out. How soon I do they will be acquainted with it. Compliments to your son and Mr. Richards.

    I have only to add that

    Am with much respect and esteem dear sir

    Your most obedient servant

    Donald Ross

    Honorable David Cobb, Esquire

    Cobb’s Store Account for 1799 [CP]345

    General David Cobb

    1799

    Jan.

    1st

    		  

    To 3 pecks Salt

    @ $5.50 per hogshead

    .56
     

    3d

    “

    1 box yellow Soap weight 54 lbs.

    @ 9d.

    6.74
       

    “

    box for

    ⅙

    .25
     

    4th

    “

    6 yards Gurrah

    @ 22 cts.

    1.32
     

    5th

    “

    1 gallon Mollasses

    58 cts.

    .58
     

    7th

    “

    Sundries delivered Peter Godfrey in full of his account and note

    		  

    7.66
     

    8th

    “

    Sundries delivered John Coolidge

    5/3

    .87
       

    “

    20 lb. Coffee

    @25 cts.

    .5—
       

    “

    1 quart Pott (Pewter)

    50 cts.

    .50
     

    9th

    “

    3¼ lbs. Butter

    @ 20 cts.

    .65
       

    “

    1 oz. Hambro Thread No. 8

    8 cts.

    .8
     

    10th

    “

    1½ bushels Rye

    4/9

    .78
       

    “

    1 pair Wool Cards

    50 cts.

    .50
       

    “

    4 gallons Molasses

    @ 58 cts.

    2.32
     

    12th

    “

    ¾ lb. Soal Leather

    @ 20 cts.

    .15
     

    15th

    “

    1 pair Florentine Shoes

    66 cts.

    .66
       

    “

    6 yards Shoe Binding

    @ 1 ct.

    .6
     

    16th

    “

    16 lb. Rice

    @ $2.75 per bushel

    .37
       

    “

    1½ yards blue Broad Cloth

    @ $1.58

    2.37
     

    17th

    “

    1 lb. Bohea Tea delivered Thomas Gubtail

    $1.16

    1.16
       

    “

    1 yard coarse Linnen

    1/5d.

    .24
     

    18th

    “

    1 gallon New England Rum delivered Thomas Gubtail

    @ 1.16

    1.16
       

    “

    4 gallons West Indian Rum

    @ $1.12 ½

    4.50
     

    19th

    “

    4 lb. Bread

    @ 11 cts

    .44

    delivered Mrs. Baker

    .75
       

    “

    ¼ lb. Bohea Tea

    @ $1.25

    .31

    75
     

    21st

    “

    Sundries delivered Colonel Hall for Slay Bells in part

    		  

    .50
       

    “

    Upper Leather for 1 pair Shoes for boy

    		  

    .25
     

    22d

    “

    2 sceins colored Sewing Silk

    @ 5 cts.

    .10
     

    23d

    “

    16½ lb. mould Candles

    @ 18 cts.

    2.96
       

    “

    1 oz. Thread No. 26

    22 cts.

    .22
     

    24th

    “

    6 lb. 14 oz. Butter

    @ 20 cts.

    .97
     

    29th

    “

    Sundries

    14 cts.

    .14

    Feb

    4th

    “

    3 pecks Salt

    @ $5.50 per hogshead

    .56
     

    12th

    “

    5 pint Bowls

    @ 4 cts.

    .20
       

    “

    1½ yards coarse Linnen

    @ 2/4

    delivered Sally Newman

    .61
       

    “

    2 sceins Thread

    @ 1d.
       

    “

    1 quart Ginn

    @ $1 per gallon

    .25
     

    14th

    “

    14¾ lb. loaf Sugar

    @ 1/9½

    4.41
     

    18th

    “

    Sundries delivered Nathaniel Moore for work

    		  

    3.84
     

    20th

    “

    1¾ yards purple Callico

    @ 1/11

    .37
       

    “

    1 peck Salt

    @ 74 cts

    .19
       

    “

    1 pair Florentine Shoes

    66

    .66
     

    21st

    “

    ½ bushel Beans

    @ 7/3

    .60
       

    “

    4 yards purple Callico

    @ 1/11

    1.28

    Mar

    6th

    “

    2 lb. Chocolate

    @ 25 cts

    .50
     

    7th

    “

    Cash paid for Snow-shoes and Broom

    		  

    1.16
     

    9th

    “

    6 Needles

    @ ⅙ hundred

    .1½
       

    “

    2 Darning Needles

    @ ⅛ hundred

    .1
       

    “

    1¼ yards blue Broad Cloth delivered John Coolidge

    @ $2.25 per yard

    2.81
     

    9th

    “

    ¼ lb. Powder

    @ 4/3

    .17½
       

    “

    Cash paid Thomas Hill his account of Postage

    		  

    5.7½
     

    11th

    “

    ½ bushel Corn

    @ 4/.

    .33
     

    13th

    “

    Sundries delivered John Coolidge

    54 cts.

    .54
     

    15th

    “

    ¼ lb. Powder

    @ 4/3

    .17½
     

    18th

    “

    2 yards blue Coating

    @ 3/—

    1.—
       

    “

    1 Tea Kettle

    5/.

    .83½
     

    19th

    “

    2 sceins colored Thread

    ¾ cts.

    .1½
       

    “

    1 corn Broom

    1/.

    .16½
     

    25th

    “

    1 scein colored Silk

    5 cts.

    .5
     

    26th

    “

    Fish

    10 cts.

    .10
       

    “

    Sundries delivered Job Smith

    		  

    1.94
     

    27th

    “

    3 gallons Molasses

    @ 3/6

    1.75
     

    28th

    “

    ½ dozen Needles

    @ 1/6 hundred

    .1½
       

    “

    6 lb. Coffee

    @ 30 cts.

    1.80
       

    “

    ½ hundredweight sugar delivered December last

    @ $15

    7.50
     

    30th

    “

    30 bushels Corn

    @ 4/5

    22.8

    Apr.

    5th

    “

    5 gallons Molasses

    @ 3/6

    2.91
       

    “

    ¼ lb. Snuff

    @ 3/9

    .15½
     

    8th

    “

    Sundries delivered Phineas Tracy

    42 cts.

    .42
     

    13th

    “

    Cash 70 cents. Sundries 62 cts. for freight of Potatoes in part

    		  

    1.32
       

    “

    2 gallons Brandy

    @ 9/3

    3.8
       

    “

    4 lb. bar Soap

    @ 9d.

    .50
     

    16th

    “

    4 lb. Candles delivered Captain Eustis October last

    @ 22 cts.

    .88
     

    19th

    “

    To Sundries delivered Peter Godfrey

    		  

    1.—
     

    23rd

    “

    Sundries

    14 cts.

    .14
     

    24th

    “

    1 peck Salt

    @74

    .19
       

    “

    1 corn Broom (partly worn)

    12 cts.

    .12
       

    “

    1 quart Mugg

    9d.

    .12½.

    May.

    1st

    “

    3 lb. 14 oz. Soap

    @ 9d.

    48½
     

    8th

    “

    3 bushels Corn

    @ 4/5

    2.21
       

    “

    1 “ Rye

    5/3

    .87½
       

    “

    1 pair women’s Shoes delivered S. Newman

    		  

    1.—
     

    11th

    “

    1 lb. Bohea Tea

    70 cts.

    .70
     

    14th

    “

    1 sett Cups and Saucers

    10d.

    .14
       

    “

    1 pair Shoes for Ebenezer

    4/6

    .75
       

    “

    ½ doz. Knives and Forks

    5/.

    .83
       

    “

    46 lbs. fresh Fish

    @ 3 cts.

    1.38
     

    15th

    “

    15 bushels Corn

    @ 4/5

    11.4
     

    16th

    “

    4 ¾ lb. Eels

    27 cts.

    .27
       

    “

    1 Porringer

    1/3

    .21
     

    18th

    “

    1 Shovel

    4/.

    .66
       

    “

    Fish

    33 cts.

    .33
       

    “

    Cash for Cod Fish

    89 cts.

    .89
       

    “

    4 lb. Bohea Tea 20th

    @ 70 cts.

    2.80
     

    20th

    “

    2 ½ yards Duck

    @ 30 cts.

    .75
       

    “

    6 sceins colored Thread

    4 cts.

    .4
       

    “

    2 oz. Indigo

    @ 16/ per hundredweight

    .33
       

    “

    18 lb. loaf Sugar

    @ 1/10

    5.50
       

    “

    1½ yards tow Cloth

    @ 20 cts.

    .30
       

    “

    1 stick Twist

    3 cts.

    3
       

    “

    5½ yards blue Kersey

    @ 75 cts.

    4.12½
       

    “

    Cash paid for Eels

    26 cts.

    .26
     

    21st

    “

    1 barrel Beef

    $12

    12.—
       

    “

    4 gallons West Indian Rum

    @ $1

    4.—
       

    “

    15 lbs. Flax

    @ 10d.

    1. 8
       

    “

    4 gallons Molasses

    @ 50 cts.

    2.—
       

    “

    ½ barrel of Sugar

    @ $15¼

    7.62½
     

    22nd

    “

    Cash paid Thomas Hill Postage

    $2.56

    2.56
       

    “

    28 lbs. Coffee

    @ 31 cts.

    8.68
       

    “

    4 lbs. Eells

    12 cts.

    .12
     

    25th

    “

    Cash paid for Fish

    65 cts.

    .65
       

    “

    ½ peck red top Seed

    @ $2.50

    .31
     

    27th

    “

    7 lbs. Rice

    @ 16/6

    .17
       

    “

    1 quart Brandy delivered Mrs. Baker

    @ $2.25

    .56
     

    30th

    “

    12 sceins Hambro Thread Number 12

    		  

    .12
       

    “

    1½ yards Duck

    @ 30 cts.

    .45
       

    “

    2½ yards Gurrah

    @ 24 cts.

    .60
     

    31st

    “

    ¼ lb. Copperas

    4 cts. per lb.

    .1
       

    “

    Sundries delivered Sally Newman

    		  

    1.29
       

    “

    “ “ delivered Jonathan Young

    		  

    2.65

    June

    4th

    “

    1 quart Brandy

    @ 9/3 per gallon

    .38½
     

    5th

    “

    7 lbs. Rice

    @ 16/6

    .17
     

    10th

    “

    Sundries and cash paid in part for shearing Sheep

    33 cts.

    .33
       

    “

    28 lbs. Rice

    @ 16/6

    .68
     

    11th

    “

    1 bushel Rye

    4/6

    .75
       

    “

    1 gallon Molasses

    3/.

    .50
     

    12th

    “

    1 quart Brandy

    @ 9/3

    .38½
       

    “

    1½ yards Shoe Binding

    		  

    .1½
       

    “

    20 lbs. Fish

    @2d.

    .56
       

    “

    Cash paid for 8¾ lb. Veal

    @ 6 cts.

    .53
     

    13th

    “

    1¼ lbs. diped Candles

    @ 1/.

    .21
     

    15th

    “

    Sundries delivered Jonathan Young

    		  

    7.75
       

    “

    Veal

    		  

    .29
     

    17th

    “

    Paper Pins

    @ 12 cts.

    .12
       

    “

    4 bushels Potatoes

    @ 66 cts.

    2.64
     

    18th

    “

    4¼ lb. Soap

    @ 8d.

    .47
     

    19th

    “

    1 barrel Pork

    		  

    20.—
       

    “

    1 Cod Line

    4/3

    .70
     

    20th

    “

    4 gallons Molasses

    @ 3/.

    2.—
       

    “

    2 Pails (best)

    @ 25

    .50
     

    21st

    “

    1 peck Salt

    @ 75

    .18½
       

    “

    14 lbs. Candles

    @ 1/.

    2.33
       

    “

    Sundries delivered Asa Tracey

    18 cts.

    .18
     

    22d

    “

    12 Sable skind

    @ 50 cts.

    6.—
       

    “

    1 gallon Brandy

    9/3

    1.54
     

    24th

    “

    Sundries delivered Richard Shaw

    		  

    5.93
       

    “

    ½ doz. large Plates

    @ 3/6per dos.

    .29
       

    “

    1 lb. Chocolate

    25

    .25

    July

    1st

    “

    1 corn Broom

    		  

    .20
     

    2d

    “

    3 pecks Rye

    @4/6

    .66
     

    3d

    “

    5 yards Linnen

    @ 2/6

    2. 8
       

    “

    13 lbs. loaf Sugar

    @ 1/10

    3.97
     

    5th

    “

    1½ lbs. Cotton Wool delivered Mrs. Newman

    @ 3/6

    .88
     

    9th

    “

    1 pair Florentine Shoes

    4/

    .66
       

    “

    paid Daniel Wright’s Account

    		  

    3.66
     

    11th

    “

    Sundries paid Miss Griggs for spinning

    		  

    1.41
     

    12th

    “

    18 lbs. Sugar 2d quality

    @ $16

    2.57
     

    13th

    “

    3 pecks Rye

    @4/6

    .56
       

    “

    1 paper Pins

    12 cts.

    .12
     

    15th

    “

    1 lb. 20d. Nails

    11 cts.

    .11
       

    “

    50 ft. merchantable Pine Boards

    30 cts.

    .30
     

    19th

    “

    15½ lb. Veal

    @4½d.

    .97
       

    “

    4 lb. Bohea Tea

    @70 cts.

    2.80
       

    “

    3 gallons Molasses

    @50 cts.

    1.50
       

    “

    Boards and Joist

    29 cts.

    .29
       

    “

    1 quart New England Rum

    @4/1 per gallon

    .17
       

    “

    1 peck Salt

    @75

    .19
     

    20th

    “

    10½ lb. Veal

    @4½d.

    .63
       

    “

    6 pint Bowls

    @2/9 per dozen

    .22½
     

    22d

    “

    2 bushel Baskets

    @ 37½ cts.

    .75
       

    “

    ½ bushel Rye

    @ 6/9

    .56
     

    23d

    “

    2¾ lb. Soap

    @ 8d.

    .30
       

    “

    4 gallons West Indian Rum

    @ $1

    4.—
       

    “

    1 pair leather Shoes for Ebenezer

    4/6

    .75
       

    “

    2 Scythes

    @ $10 per dozen

    1.67
     

    24th

    “

    Sundries delivered Richard Shaw

    77 cts.

    .77
     

    25th

    “

    14 lbs. best Sugar

    @ $17

    2.12½
       

    “

    1 barrel Beef

    @ $8

    8.—
     

    27th

    “

    14 lbs. Coffee

    @31 cts.

    4.34
       

    “

    42 lbs. best Sugar

    @ $17

    6.37
       

    “

    Sundries delivered Daniel Wright for mending Shoes

    		  

    .33
     

    29th

    “

    14 lbs. Rice

    @ 16/6

    .34
       

    “

    ½ bushel Rye

    @ 6/9

    .56
     

    31st

    “

    4 gallons Molasses

    @ 3/

    2.—
       

    “

    Sundries delivered Richard Shaw

    22 cts.

    .22
       

    “

    3 pecks Rye

    @ 6/9

    .84

    Aug.

    3d

    “

    Sundries delivered Richard Shaw

    50 cts.

    .50
     

    5th

    “

    Cash paid John Corson

    $2

    2.—
       

    “

    1 peck Salt

    @ 75 cts.

    .19
     

    6th

    “

    25 bushels Corn

    @ 4/3

    17.10
       

    “

    1 piece Tape

    7d.

    .10
     

    8th

    “

    1½ bushels Rye

    @ 6/9

    1.68
     

    12th

    “

    Sundries delivered

    25 cts.

    .25
       

    “

    Sundries for Fish

    33 cts.

    .33
       

    “

    ½ quintal Codfish

    @ $2.50

    1.25
     

    15th

    “

    4 gallons West Indian Rum

    @ 5/

    3.33
       

    “

    11¾ lbs. loaf Sugar

    @ 1/10

    3.59
       

    “

    1 dozen large Button Moulds

    		  

    .3
       

    “

    1 stick Twist

    3 cts.

    .3
       

    “

    1 bushel Rye

    @ 6/9

    1.12½
     

    17th

    “

    Cash paid Thomas Hill’s account of Postage

    		  

    2.14
     

    19th

    “

    4¼ lbs. Soap

    @ 8d.

    .50
       

    “

    1 paper Pins

    12 cts.

    .12
       

    “

    1 lb. Chocolate

    25 cts.

    .25
     

    20th

    “

    1 scein colored Silk

    4 cts.

    4
       

    “

    1 yard coarse Linnen

    @ ¼

    .22
       

    “

    5 gallons Molasses

    @3/

    1.50
       

    “

    1 bushel Rye

    @6/9

    1.12½
       

    “

    Fish

    53 cts.

    .53
     

    22d

    “

    Sundries paid Daniel Wright’s account

    		  

    1.50
       

    “

    1½ bushels Rye

    @ 6/9

    1.68½
       

    “

    1 peck Salt

    @ 75 cts.

    .19
     

    26th

    “

    ½ bushel Rye

    @ 6/9

    .56
     

    28th

    “

    1 gallon 3 pints West Indian Rum

    @ 5/

    .1.14½
     

    29th

    “

    1 3 quart Coffee Pot

    3/

    .50
       

    “

    1 lb. Shott

    9 cts.

    .12½
       

    “

    1 dozen Needles 3 cts. 1 Thimble 2 cts.

    		  

    5
       

    “

    ½ barrel Beef

    @ $8

    8.—
     

    31st

    “

    1000 ft. merchantable Pine Boards delivered Andrew Kidstone

    		  

    6.—
       

    “

    1 barrel Sugar

    @ $14

    14.—
       

    “

    ½ bushel Rye

    @ 6/9

    .56

    Sept.

    4th

    “

    ½ bushel Rye

    @ 6/9

    .56
       

    “

    1 large Butter Pott

    9d.

    .12
     

    5th

    “

    Sundries delivered Mrs. Newman

    50 cts.

    .50
       

    “

    Cash paid for Fish

    3/9

    .62½
     

    9th

    “

    8 lb. Soap

    8d.

    .89
     

    10th

    “

    ½ bushel Rye

    @ 6/9

    .56
       

    “

    40 lb. Fish

    @ 1½d.

    .83
       

    “

    14 lb. Rice

    18/

    .37
       

    “

    1 colored Tea Pott

    1/6

    .25
       

    “

    1 sett colored Cups and Saucers

    2/.

    .33
       

    “

    1 yellow Tea Pott

    10d.

    .14
       

    “

    2 Sugar Bowls

    @ 8d.

    .22
     

    12th

    “

    1 peck Salt

    @ 75 cts.

    .19
     

    13th

    “

    3 quart Bowls

    @ 6/ per dozen

    .25
     

    14th

    “

    1 paper Pins

    12 cts.

    .12
       

    “

    Cash for 9¼ lb. Lamb

    @ 4½d.

    .57
     

    17th

    “

    9 lb. Pork

    @ 8d.

    1.—
     

    19th

    “

    4 lb. Bohea Tea

    @ 70 cts.

    2.80
     

    20th

    “

    5 lb. Hyson Tea

    @ 1.50

    7.50
     

    21st

    “

    13 lb. loaf Sugar

    @ 1/10

    3.97
       

    “

    1 pair Florentine Shoes

    4/

    .66
       

    “

    Cash for 9 lb. Fish

    @ 1½d.

    .19
     

    23rd

    “

    1 peck Salt

    @ 75 cts.

    .19
       

    “

    8¾ lb. Lamb

    @4½d.

    .54
       

    “

    Barrel Pork

    $20

    20.00
     

    25th

    “

    1 Corn Broom

    20 cts.

    .20
       

    “

    5 gallons Molasses

    @ 3/

    2.50
     

    27th

    “

    ½ bushel Rye

    @ 5/9

    .48
       

    “

    4 lb. Soap

    @ 8d.

    .44
     

    28th

    “

    1 bushel Cranberries

    $1.17

    1.17

    Oct.

    3rd

    “

    8 lb. Fish

    @ 3 cts.

    .24
     

    4th

    “

    11 yards white Flannel

    @ 37½ cts.

    4.12½
       

    “

    1 Thimble

    2 cts.

    .2
       

    “

    Sundries delivered Peter Godfrey’s account

    $1

    1.—
     

    5th

    “

    2¾ bushels Rye

    @ 5/9

    2.63
       

    “

    26½ bushels Corn

    @ 5/

    22.8
     

    7th

    “

    16½ lb. Soap

    @ 8d.

    1.83
     

    8th

    “

    1 box Candles 48 lb.

    @ 1/. Box 1/6

    8.25
     

    10th

    “

    26 lb. Fish

    @ 1½d.

    .54
       

    “

    17 lb. “

    @ “

    .35
     

    12th

    “

    1½ yards blue Kersey

    @ 75

    1.12½
       

    “

    1½ bushels Rye

    @ 6/9

    1.68
       

    “

    1¼ yards blue Broadcloth

    @ 9/.

    1.87½
       

    “

    2 dozen large M M Buttons

    @13 cts.

    .26
       

    “

    1 stick Twist

    3 cts.

    .3
       

    “

    1 bushel Basket

    		  

    .37
     

    15th

    “

    Sundries paid 9½ cord of Wood

    @ $2

    19.—
       

    “

    “12 sceins colored Thread

    		  

    .48
     

    16th

    “

    1 lb. 11 oz. Butter

    @ 20 cts.

    .34
       

    “

    6 sceins colored Thread

    		  

    .48
     

    21st

    “

    “18 bushels Corn

    @ 5/

    15.3
     

    22nd

    “

    1 barrel Beef

    $14

    14.—
       

    “

    10¼ lb. loaf Sugar

    @ 1/10

    3.13
     

    23d

    “

    2 gallons Molasses

    @ 3/.

    1.—
     

    24th

    “

    ¼ hundredweight Rice

    @ 20/.

    .83
       

    “

    1 lb. Pimento

    @ 20 cts.

    .20
       

    “

    ½ peck Salt

    @ 75

    .9½
     

    26th

    “

    “17 lb. Fish

    @ 1½d.

    .35
       

    “

    11½ lb. Mutton

    @4½d.

    .72
     

    28th

    “

    8 yards Callico

    @45 cts.

    3.60
       

    “

    9¼ cords of Wood

    @ $2

    18.50
     

    29th

    “

    1 gallon Funnel

    3/4

    .56
       

    “

    1 horn Combe

    7 cts.

    .7
     

    31st

    “

    2 pair table Hinges

    @ 6d.

    .12
       

    “

    2 dozen ½ inch Screws

    @2½d.

    .7

    Nov.

    1st

    “

    1 woodcutter’s Saw

    7/6

    1.25
       

    “

    1 scein Silk, 4 cts., 8 sceins colored Thread

    		  

    .10
     

    6th

    “

    “27 lb. Mutton

    @ 4½d.

    1.68
       

    “

    1½ bushels Rye

    @ 6/9

    1.68
     

    7th

    “

    “13 yards quality Binding

    @ 2 cts.

    .26
       

    “

    6 sceins colored Thread

    		  

    .4½
     

    8th

    “

    42 lb. best Sugar

    @ $17

    6.37½
       

    “

    4 darning Needles

    @1/8 per hundred

    .1½
     

    9th

    “

    4 yards quality Binding

    @ 2 cts.

    .8
       

    “

    1 pair men’s Shoes

    75 cts.

    .75
     

    11th

    “

    To Sundries delivered Josiah Moore

    		  

    17.27
       

    “

    3 gallons Molasses

    @ 3/.

    1.50
       

    “

    1 peck Salt

    @ 75

    .19
     

    15th

    “

    Sundries paid for Ben Herrings

    		  

    1.16
     

    16th

    “

    ½ piece Oil Cloth

    @ $5

    2.50
       

    “

    		      
       

    “

    		      
       

    “

    		      
       

    “

    1 barrel Beef

    $14

    14.—
     

    18th

    “

    10 lb. Chocolate

    @ 25

    2.50
       

    “

    10½ lb. Soap

    @ 8d.

    1.16
       

    “

    1 pair Wool Cards, No. 3

    39 cts.

    .39
     

    19th

    “

    1 lb. Shott

    9 cts.

    .9
       

    “

    3½ yards white Flannel

    @37½

    1.31
       

    “

    2 Corn Brooms

    @ 20 cts.

    .40
       

    “

    5 yards shoe Binding

    @ 1 ct.

    .5
       

    “

    1 Pitcher

    @ 4½d.

    .6
     

    22d

    “

    5 lb. 10 oz. Butter

    @ 20 cts.

    1.12½
     

    23d

    “

    2 Patridges346

    16

    .16
       

    “

    4½ lb. Pilot Bread

    @ 7½ cts.

    .34
       

    “

    1 lb. Bohea Tea

    70 cts.

    .70
     

    26th

    “

    1 peck Salt

    @75

    .19
     

    28th

    “

    1 Axe

    @9/.

    1.50
       

    “

    ½ lb. Pepper

    @ 2/.

    .16½
     

    29th

    “

    1 largest Gimblet

    1/2

    .20
       

    “

    3 Flints

    @ 1½ cts.

    .4½
     

    30th

    “

    8¾ cords of Wood

    @ $2

    17.50

    Dec.

    5th

    “

    3 Ducks

    @ 14 cts.

    .42
       

    “

    “

    66 cts.

    .66
       

    “

    7¾ lb. loaf Sugar

    @ 1/10

    2.36
     

    6th

    “

    ¼ lb. colored Thread containing 28 sceins

    @5/3

    .22
       

    “

    1 2 inch socket Chizzel, 1.7 inches diameter

    		  

    .44
     

    11th

    “

    2½ gallons Molasses

    @ 3/6

    1.45½
     

    12th

    “

    1 pair Taps

    1/.

    .16
     

    13th

    “

    3 pecks coarse Salt

    @5/3

    .65
       

    “

    1 bushel damaged Corn

    3/.

    .50
       

    “

    1 pair Taps

    14 cts.

    .14
     

    14th

    “

    66 bushels Corn

    @ 92 cts.

    60.72
     

    16th

    “

    1 wooden Bowl

    $1

    1.—
       

    “

    ½ pint Rum delivered Rolf

    12 cts

    .12
       

    “

    3 Ducks

    @ 12 cts.

    .36
       

    “

    2 bushels Rye

    @ $1.33

    2.66
       

    “

    ½ dozen Candle Sticks

    @ 10/6

    .88
       

    “

    Pair Shovel and Tongs

    @ $1.50

    1.50
     

    17th

    “

    5½ lb. Soap

    @ 8d.

    .61
     

    18th

    “

    5 gallons Molasses

    @ 3/6

    2.92
       

    “

    1 barrel Sugar 2 hundredweight and 15 lb.

    @ $14

    29.87½
     

    19th

    “

    Sundries delivered Richard Shaw

    		  

    2.64
       

    “

    10½ yards Green Baize

    @ 30 cts.

    3.15
     

    20th

    “

    6 yards Camblet

    @ 28 1/3 cts.

    1.70
       

    “

    Sundries delivered Richard Shaw

    		  

    6.54
       

    “

    2½ lb. soal Leather

    @ 1/1

    .44
       

    “

    1 pair Vamps

    22 cts.

    .22
       

    “

    1½ yards blue Broad Cloth

    @ $1.58

    2.37
       

    “

    1 scein colored Silk

    4 cts.

    .4
       

    “

    1 piece Tape

    10d.

    .14
     

    21st

    “

    1 gallon West India Rum

    5/.

    .83
       

    “

    4 tin Cups

    @ 7d.

    .39
       

    “

    3 fancy pint Bowls

    @ 5½d.

    .23
     

    23d

    “

    42 lb. Rice

    @ 20/.

    1.25
     

    25th

    “

    4½ lb. Soap

    @ 8d.

    .50
       

    “

    1 axe Handle

    9d.

    .12½
     

    27th

    “

    Cash for 24 lb. Mutton

    @ 4½d.

    1.50
       

    “

    1 lb. 5 oz. Butter

    @ 20 cts.

    .26
     

    30th

    “

    1 peck Salt

    @ 75

    .19
       

    “

    9 lb. loaf Sugar

    @ 1/10

    2.75
       

    “

    1 scein colored Silk

    4 cts.

    .4
     

    31st

    “

    4½ lb. Soap

    @ 8d.

    .50
       

    “

    36 dozen Eggs at sundry times

    @ 16½ cts.

    6.—
             

    763.61

    Deduct 10 per cent on

    $763.61

    		  

    56.74347

    196.39

    $567.22
             

    820.35
       

    “

    3 barrels Flour

    @ $11

    33.—
       

    “

    10 per cent on $33

    		  

    3.30
             

    $856.65
       

    Contra credit

    		  

    41.73
         

    Ballance

    814.92

    1799

    Jan.

    17th

    By bottle Wine delivered Ebenezer Downs

    66

    		  

    .66

    Apr.

    6th

    1 bushel Corn delivered Colonel Hall

    5/0

    		  

    .83
     

    20th

    24 lb. Pork delivered Pince [?] Mar. 27th

    @ 16½

    		  

    4.—
     

    “

    48½ lb. for Packet

    		    

    8. 8
     

    27th

    2 Bottles

    @ 8 cts.

    		  

    .16

    Nov.

    To

    ¾ barrel Pork returned

    @ $20

    		  

    15.—
     

    “

    ½ barrel Beef “

    @ $8

    		  

    8.—
     

    “

    5 bushels Corn for use of Packet delivered Nov. 1798

    @ 6/

    		  

    5.—
             

    $41.73