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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC02437.04571 |
| From Archive Folder | The Henry Knox Papers [0094] January-March 1790 |
| Title | Samuel Shaw to Daniel Parker giving a detailed account of problems with debt relating to the voyage of the Empress of China |
| Date | 15 March 1790 |
| Author | Shaw, Samuel (1754-1794) |
| Recipient | Parker, Daniel |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Discusses in detail his financial business related to the Empress of China, the ship he took on his first trip to China. The owners refused to pay him and [Thomas] Randall. Says not only did the owners refuse to pay them upwards of $3000 but that they also instituted an account against them for $2300. The account was appropriated by Parker from the owners' funds committed to Shaw and Randall. Another $884 was also charged which he and Randall paid to Captain Green. The owners are now suing Shaw and Randall for the remaining balance that was not charged to their account. Discusses the legal ramifications they have had to suffer and current lawsuits against them. Writes that after, "almost five years, I am a third time going to China, without having received a single dollar of the balance for my services the first time..." Describes the financial embarrassments he has had to suffer from this incident. Says at the moment he is stable because his friends, General Henry Knox and Messrs. Hoffman [and Son], have stepped forth and loaned him $4000 which has saved both him and Randall from financial ruin. Expresses his confidence that Parker will not withhold his assistance in this situation and is drawing upon Parker for $3000. Writes, "I beseech you, my dear friend, I conjure you by the sacred ties of honor, friendship, and ever thing dear among men, that you pay the bill. Consider the great, very great injury this business has already been to Mr. Randall and me. Reflect that our sufferings have proceeded solely from my unbounded reliance on the rectitude and honesty of your character..." Dated March 1790. Date of the 15th previously inferred and written on the document in pencil. |
| Subjects | Commerce Merchants and Trade Asia Revolutionary War General Maritime Finance Debt Law Friendship |
| People | Parker, Daniel (fl. 1781-1791) Shaw, Samuel (1754-1794) Randall, Thomas (d. 1811) |
| Place written | Boston, Massachusetts |
| Theme | Merchants & Commerce; Naval & Maritime |
| Sub-collection | The Henry Knox Papers |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |