Description:

Troops to America for the Royal Navy Financed by London Investor in 1780

In this letter written from London, John Bales urges Newcastle-upon-Tyne merchant and surgeon Nathaniel Bayles to continue the service of his ship HMS Providence for troop transport from northern Germany to New York.

On November 17, 1780, Captain John Ritchie of the HMS Providence had written to Bayles from Spithead on the southeast coast of England that he had arrived from the Americas but had lost many small transports on the way there.

On April 25, 1781, Captain John Ritchie of the HMS Providence wrote to merchant Nathaniel Bayles from Bremen Lake in northern Germany, where he was loading Hessian soldiers to transport them to New York for use against the American colonists. The Royal Navy had hired the Providence as a troop ship to transport Scottish and Hessian troops and supplies to New York from 1780 to 1782. Ritchie informs Bayles that he "shall be glad for your advise when arrived at Portsmouth." The Providence had also been employed to transport slaves to North America and the Caribbean and sailed regularly between New York and Jamaica.

[REVOLUTIONARY WAR.] John Dixon, Autograph Letter Signed, to Nathaniel Bayles, December 1, 1780, London, England. 3 pp., 7.25" x 9". Expected folds; some minor loss on third page.

Complete Transcript
London the 1 Decemr 1780
Mr. Nathl Bayles
Dr. Sir.
I am duly favored with both your Esteem'd Letters of the 25 and 26 past, & have likewise a Letter from Capt Ritchie, dated the 29th from Portsmouth Harbour, mentioning that in Consequence of yours, to him he was much at a Loss how to proceed.
However to obviate his present difficulties, I have wrote him to Act with the greatest Economy for the Interest of the Concern'd, as it would not only be Impracticable to have the Vessel round but very much to the prejudice of your good self, & the rest of the Concern'd and I do now give it, as the most friendly Advise to let her go on, presuming that the greatest Advantages, arising from the Transport Service, is the length of Time they are employ'd, in that Service. I believe you will do me the Justice to Acknowledge I do not offer this Opinion from Interested motives. If so, I am sure you will reflect otherwise, when you see the Considerable Sum, I have been in Advance, & more than I ever advanc'd any other Owners to support Mr Burleigh's Credit & the Credit of the Ship. The last 2 months pay will make 8 months receiv'd in the whole, from our Navy board, & which Bills, are pass'd to your Credit. Net £281.6, £280.2, £280.17.11, & £281.6, together £1123.11.11. My Disbursements to this period—exclusive of Interest of money, & some Seamens advance is £1148.4.2. so that thus far your Account with me may be said to be nearly Balanc'd, except several Tradesmens bills, which remain here unpaid, & which I have refus'd to Settle, until I am in Cash. I believe the principal demands are from Mr Gilbert, Mr Minetone, Mr Coverdale, Mr. J. Birkley, 7c. To Answer these demands, there are 9 months pay due from Governmt which I will endeavour to get Clos'd, on the old Contract, when I receive Capt Ritchie's documents, about which I have wrote him. This Balance, will surely enable the master, I should apprehend, to fit her Completely to Sea, for 12 Mos & a surplus over, & as I well know what my own ships leave me, in the same service, besides the pay being advanc'd to 12s/9d ⅌ [?] I will declare you cannot do better with the ship, considering, as I do, that most likely you have seen the worst part through of this Business & that now is the Time, she will be rendering the Owners some Advantages. I must allow your Situation, is discouraging, & no money coming in, makes this employ very disagreeable, but I think it would be a most improper Step, to form any resolution, of getting her discharge, & I pronounce that in Capt Ritchie, you have a very Carefull, & Sober Master.
I shall at all Times, be very happy to Act with your Concurrence & Approbation & ever thankfull for your obliging recommendations, among the ship Owners, at your place, & remain very sincerely, Sir
Your Obedt hume Servant
John Dixon

John Dixon is listed in a 1780 London directory as a "ship's husband," the managing partner for a group of shipowners who took a more active role in the management of the ship and took a larger share of the profits.

Nathaniel Bayles (1717-1791) was an English surgeon and merchant in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He was also an inventor, as he applied for a patent in 1783 for a new whaling harpoon. In 1745, he became the sword-bearer in Newcastle, a local office of honor. In the position, he preceded the mayor of the town on all ceremonial occasions with a sword, received visiting dignitaries, and issued official invitations to all municipal events. Bayles held the position for more than forty-five years.

John Ritchie was the captain of the HMS Providence. He was apparently captured by American forces as captain of the schooner Dispatch in 1779 and held in Philadelphia until exchanged. Ritchie was with the Providence in British-held Charleston, South Carolina, in December 1782.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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