Primary tabs
Transcription
[Page 1]
Sept 25 1807
Sir
I have given a set of Bills to the amount of fifty pounds upon you in favor of John Palmer Esqr. or his order bearing date the 22d of September 1807 which I will than [thank ?] you to honor.
My last was a settlement of accounts with Governor King up to December 1st 1806 leaving a balance in his favor amounting to £60-9-2.
On Governor King's departure he told me he had left his papers concerning me with Governor Bligh. On my application to the latter for money he told me when I stood in need of any I was to apply to Mr. Palmer the Commissary who would furnish me with it.
It may appear strange that I should so soon draw upon you for the sum of fifty pounds. I believe I mentioned to you before that I should be under the necessity of having my house shingled in order to the better securing my collection from the effects of fire. And shortly after Governor King had quitted the Colony during the hot weather, the ajoining field being in a blaze, I was under great apprehension of the thatch taking fire, but by using exertions I escaped the danger. Reflecting on the length of time, and the labor my collection had cost, I resolved to free my mind from such dread, which in a manner was approaching to a disease, let it cost whatever sum. On judging myself, I could find no plea in my favor, in exposing my affairs to the risk of having them all destroyed in a few minutes. This cost me twenty pounds. And what must you say, when I tell you, that many of the carpenters here can earn from twenty to thirty shillings a day, that were they in England I do not think could earn more than two shillings, or two shillings and sixpence at the most, if they could obtain employment. However, I cannot perceive that the men who get these great wages are so well of as those in England who get only about two shillings per diem. In
Oct. 4, 1808