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Nicholas Brown & Co to Esek Hopkins |
Publication/Creation:
- Providence, RI: 1764-09-10
Creators and Contributors:
- Nicholas Brown & Co. (creator)
- Hopkins, Esek, 1718-1802 (recipient)
Description:
- Physical Description:
- 4 p.
- Abstract:
- Once a ship was fully loaded, owners delivered a formal letter of instructions to the captain, specifying his destination, outlining his responsibilities, and making provision for various contingencies, including the loss of cargo, captain, or crew. This document, dated September 10, 1764, is a copy of the letter of instructions that the Brown brothers delivered to Esek Hopkins on the eve of the Sally's departure for Africa. The letter orders Hopkins to sail to the Windward Coast of Africa, to "Dispose of your Cargo for Slaves," and to proceed to Barbados or to any other American port where the captives could be sold to best advantage. The letter also instructs Hopkins to return to Providence with "four likely young slaves," aged about fifteen years, for the family's own use. For his services, the captain was offered a "privilege" of ten slaves to sell on his own account, as well as the standard captain's commission of four slaves for every one hundred and four he delivered alive.
- Call Number:
- BFBR 643-6, item 1 (JCB Manuscript ID)
Genre(s)
- letters (correspondence)