MANUSCRIPT LETTER PURPORTING TO BE WRITTEN AND SIGNED, BY S. DILLINGHAM, CAPE FRANCOIS, HAITI, JULY 12, 1797, TO MESSRS. IMLAY & TUTHILL, MERCHANTS, PHILADELPHIA: "GENTLEMEN| THE 5TH INST. I WAS TAKEN BY A FRENCH PRIVATEER AND CONDUCTED TO JEAN REBEL [sic]. MYSELF AND PAPERS SENT TO THIS PLACE. I HAVE THIS DAY BY THE ASSISTANCE OF MR. DODGE GOT MY CLEARANCE, WITH PERMISSION TO PROCEED TO GONAIVES. I HAVE WRITEN [sic] MORE FULL BY ANOTHER CONVEYANCE. FOR YOUR FURTHER INFORMATION I ENCLOSE MR. STILES LETTER. AMERICAN PRODUCE HERE IS LOW AND THAT OF THE ISLAND HIGH. AT GONAIVES QUITE THE REVERSE. THERE ARE MANY OF OUR COUNTRYMEN IN MY SITUATION AND SOME WORSE UPWARD OF THIRTY AMERICAN VESSELS NOW IN THE MOLE [sic] UNDER ADJUDICATION."
6.5" x 8.5". [4] pp, folded, untrimmed. Letter is written on rectos only; page [4] with address, wax seal remnant, and docketing information. Folded for mailing. Light browning, Very Good. We are unfamiliar with S. Dillingham's handwriting and thus do not warrant that the letter bears his actual signature or..... More