Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-11-01
A nriic nf"N. Gnod Old Time..

The following is an exact copy of letter
of instructions from n ship owner to his cap
tain, one hundred and nineteen years ago,
which came to the attention of the late Gard
ner c. Hall when in or near Boston, and was
copied by him as an evidence and reminder
of the good old times" when ''prime slaves"
could be bought on the African coast at
a maximum price of cone hundred and fifty
gallons per head The original Of this letter
is still in existence;
BosToN, - Nov, Lea.
can't. Peter GriaH-lSr You being ap.
pointed Muster of my Snow Fair Lady, fully
loaded and acquipt for the Sea-Nly Orders
are that you Embrace the first favourable OPP
portunity and proceed to the Coast Of Africa
touching first upon the Windward Coast
where l would have you dispose of your Car
go if Possible, and purchase your Slaves, even
sopose you give One Hundred and Fifty Gal
Ions per head, | mean for Prime Slaves and
to have dispatch, but if you find that cannot
be done, make what purchase you can down
the Coast and Rice your vessel and proceed
to Anamaboc and there dispose of your Cargo
to the best advantage and Purchase Cargo of
Prime Young Slaves You'll observe that it is
my advise to purchase rs Quick as Possible. so
10 Abl " ny Aoub ulbAl Allt AOhhls even %
pose you give an Extraordinary Price. You
have often hurt your Voyage by laying long
upon the Coast l would sooner have you
deal largely with the Factors when you can
have dispatch and good Slaves, even sopose
you should give 20, 30 or 40 Gallons per head
more than with the Natives. You must con-
slider in Laying you bring it late in the Year
badd Citing off the Coast, Risque of your
VESSEL, Charges of Wage and Proviton and
Sickness attending your People and Slaves,
all this you'll consider and make dispatch by
all means.
After you are Slay'd you are to proceed TO
Hampton Rhoad in Virginia and there en-.
qure for Mess. Samuel and George Koor at
Cabben Point and Mess. Adams and Griffin
merchants in Virginia where you'll find Let
tiers to dg'd for your further Procc, dings, but
if by accident you should be detained longer
than June upon the Coast, (Which by all N, ans
you are to endeayourt to prevent 10y selling by
Wholesale | say should that Happen TO be tie
case, it will be too late to be at Virginia after
the month of August and dangerous on ac-
count of llurriCaihs in the West Indies But
should you be belaited you are then to touch
with causion at Cape Nichoa Mole for Wood
and Water, and after You have Wood and
Waterod proceed to Jana and apply to my
Friends Mess. Eliphnlet Fitch a. Co, where
you'll meet with Letters for your further pro
ceedings. Brake no acts of Trade nor make
no badd Debts
Yonr privilege is per cent slaves. Your
Coast Commission is four out of lOi aud you
are to observe the whole Purchase of Slaves
are made togoather and you may either aver
age with the sale Of the Cargo or when the
whole purchase is madeyou may draw Lofts in
the presence of your Mates md what falls to
your Lott you are to Markc and take the
Risque of living or Dying | once more urge
Dispatch by giving n greater price than 9TH
ers that you may be able TO go TO Virginia,
which look upon much the best prospect of
a Market. Howeveryou'l be the best Judge,
where to proceed when you come of the
Coast, if you are belaited call ut Barbados
and advise with Mess George Nurse, q Co. get
as much Cash MS you can wherever you sell
and be causous what Bills you take l shall
Lodge letters for your government at Virginia
and Barbados. Miss no opportunity of
writing to me and be very perticulor. Once
more l urge the Greatest Dispatch and by all
means to try to be Early enough to go to Vr-
ginia. Tighten your Portledge Bill by sup.
plying your People on the Voyage and dis
charge as many as you can spare when you
get TO Virginia or the West Indies l am
with Wishing you success
Your Friend and Owner,
TIMOTHY FITCH
p. S. II is understood the per cent Priv.
ilidge is to be Eight Slaves.