To George Washington from James Balfour, 25–26 March 1775
From James Balfour
Little England March 25[–26]th 1775
Sir
My Partner Mr Barraud writes me that he has procur’d ev’ry thing in your Order that cou’d be got—I have been confin’d to my Bed for near Six Weeks occasion’d as the Old Women say by a Stone Bruise on my Heel be what bruise it may it had liked to have carry’d me to my long Home thank God I am now out of all danger tho’ still confin’d to my Bed—this has retarded sometime sending for the Flour.1
Our Brig George & Charlotte Capt. Wilkinson Barzey now calls for it—I am well convinc’d that the Flour will be ship’d in good Order with dispatch—shou’d Capt. Barzey have occasion for any necessary’s or money please to supply him which shall be return’d on demand with thanks by Sir with great respect & regard—Your most Obt hum. Servt
James Balfour
March 26h By Letter’s this moment recd from our Friend O. Hanbury Esqr. he is appointed by the North American Merchants & Traders one of a Committee of 23 to prepare & bring in a Petition to the House of Commons for a repeal of all the obnoxious American Acts in which he says they have the greatest prospect of Success.2
LS, DLC:GW.
1. For the agreement that GW made with Balfour & Barraud, see Balfour & Barraud to GW, 25 Dec. 1774, n.1. Thomas Newton, Jr., wrote GW on 12 April that Balfour had died suddenly on 8 April. GW never received the £1,748.17, Virginia currency, that the firm owed him (see GW to Lund Washington, 20 Aug. 1775, n.4).
2. A number of petitions by merchants and manufacturers in Britain were sent to Parliament in the late winter and spring of 1775, appealing for reconciliation with the American colonies and citing the economic hardships that would ensue from a war.