From George Washington to Thomas Newton, Jr., 2 April 1774
To Thomas Newton, Jr.
Mt Vernon 2d April 1774
Sir,
Inclosed you have Griffen Gilley’s receipt for sixty Barrels of superfine Flour; as also an invoice of the weight &c. of each barrel. Please to dispose of it to the best advantage, for my interest, on credit not ecceeding October.1
I was obliged to buy in the Anne & Elizabeth myself at the price of £175 which is thirty odd, short of what it stands me—Will this Vessel, do you think, sell at Norfolk? and at what price for ready money? I could wish to dispose of it at its value, as every one agree’s it must be worth £300—but if I cannot get a price nearly equal to its worth, I must receive freight, one being offer’d to Jamaica, another to Philadelphia, & a third to St Kitts.2 I shall only add that I am Sir, Your most obt Servt
G: Washington
LB, DLC:GW.
1. The value GW places on the flour and casks is £112.8.2, less Newton’s commission of £5.12.4. He identifies the conveyor of the sixty barrels of flour as Griffith Kelly, not “Griffen Gilley” (, 85). The enclosed “receipt” has not been found. Newton acknowledges receipt of the flour on 19 April.
2. For GW’s purchase of the brig, or brigantine, Anne and Elizabeth, see GW to Robert McMickan, 10 May 1774, and note 2 of that document.
3. “Sortable” meant suitable or appropriate.
4. See Newton to GW, 19 April.