War between France and Britain causing shipping to stagnate
Author
Recipient
Date Written
July 3, 1803
Captain John Moulton was 40 years old when this was written.
The recipient, Sally Webber Moulton, was 42 when it was received.
Captain John Moulton died 21 years, 2 months, 7 days after writing this.
It was written 220 years, 2 months, 20 days ago.
It was a Sunday.
New York
3rd July 1803
Sunday morning
Dear Companion,
I have been prevented writing to you in the last two or three days by having had invitations to make small excursions on the country with my friends. I did it purely for change of arc & to erase my melancholy thoughts from my mind. I received yours of Sunday evening last, yesterday, and find by it that your spirits are good yet, and that you could be happy if you know I was so. I will try to make myself as happy as possible on your account. I could wish you to write oftener for I am never am so happy as when reading your scrobbels [sic] & ribblerobbels [sic] as you are pleased to call them. It was four days after receiving yours of the 24th and the one yesterday which seemed almost an age to me.
You say you were in hopes I had taken a freight before then but I have not got one yet nor cannot tell when I shall for the news of its actually being war between France & England has put an instance stagnation to business. There is not the least thing doing here at present but are in hopes it will not last long. I have orders to sell the Brig. if I can obtain such a price. [I] have been offered within a few hundred dollars of the price. Should I sell her I shall be at home as soon as possible after settling my business, I shall write Tarbox & Jonat this day. Tell Daniel I shall not have time to write him this day but shall write him before I sail. Give my complements to my Mother and ask her if her curiosity is satisfied resheeting my lady passengers, if not, let me know and I will describe them more particular than I did in a former letter which doubtless you have received before this. Give my complements to Oliver and Sally and tell them I wish them all the happiness they can enjoy and that I wish them to write to me, tell William & Charles I want to see them but fear it will be some time first. I hope you have a school & keep them to it. Give my respects to all our friends and except the love & well wishes of your affectionate husband.
John Moulton
I here enclose you $27 being all the cash I have by me that will be safe to enclose in a letter.
Scans of Letter
