Purchasing of anchors
Author
Recipient
Date Written
July 2, 1801
Benjamin Boyd was 33 years old when this was written.
The recipient, Nathaniel Cushing, was 39 when it was received.
Benjamin Boyd died 8 years, 5 months, 30 days after writing this.
It was written 221 years, 8 months, 18 days ago.
It was a Thursday.
Boston
2 July 1801
Mr. Nathaniel Cushing
Dear Sir,
My last respects were of 31 ulti, the purpose of which was to urge your sending up with all possible dispatch and anchor of 1360 or as near as possible, since I have none nearer that size than 1250 which is too small, therefore when you buy it up, let its size be over 1360 [?] than under.
The very stupid conduct of the Frenchman in recovering the anchors for Capt. Hunter, gave rise to the very serious difficulty to Capt. Babcock, where the ship is now much in want of its anchor which he paid me for the 24th ulti: as the business now stands, I have requested Capt. Hunter to provide Capt. Babcock with an anchor in lieu of the one that his Frenchman has taken. Mr. Hunter cannot do this, so that if you can get me an anchor up immediately, in the event I think its likely that I shall sell 2 anchors in lieu of one—yet I am really sorry that any gentleman who buys an anchor of me 10 dys. earlier than he wants it, should be totally discouraged in his [?] by the stupidity of any one.
In regard to future sizes, I would recommend your buying up in addition to the large ones mentioned to you when here, of 13 to 1550, a few that shall run from 570 to 610.
This evening have sold Jacob Sheaf of Portsmouth 2 anchors of 690 & 562—he is to give you his note in the morning.
Affectionately I am yours,
Ben L. Boyd
Scans of Letter
