Yates to Collins, Wilson, and Ponsonby, merchants in St. Kitts, March 1780

Virga. Fredrbg. March 15th 1780

Messers Collins Wilson & Ponsonby of St. Kitts
Gent.
Please accept my warmest Thanks for 2d of your favor dated Septr. 29th 79 which reached me about a fortnight ago original & Letters accompanying it have not got to hand.
I had before heard by a Letter from Glasgow dated last May that the Negro Boy Robin had misbehaved & that after Matthews had sent him to the West Indies, but not so particularly as to know his faults or to whom he had sent him -- this gave me some uneasiness as I expected from his behaviour in infancy that he wou'd have turned out well & been serviceable to me - as a valet - but as that is not now to be hoped I mean to put him to other employment -- since the present war I have withdrawn from business & attend solely to my farms, where perhaps Robin may cutt a figure at the Plough & being tightly employed forget his theivish [sic] tricks - his opptys will be less & as to his obstinacy he will not have a Wigton family to contend with.
You will oblige me by having him sent here by way of St. Eustatia at your convenience I have no acquaintance with any House in that Island but from thence whoever he is landed with in Virga. with a letter to me he will find his way home - however Rappahannock River woud be most convenient for him or Norfolk if addressed to the care of Captain George Abyvon --- I know not at present how to acknowledge my obligations to you for the past assistance expence or trouble about the Boy but at a future day when it may be in my power be assured I will not be unmindfull of your favours in the meantime I am gent. with much regard
Your obedt. hble servant
Chs. Yates

Per the R Johnston Schooner
bound for St. Eustatia
s.d. per Grand Tyger

[Note: Robin was eventually returned to Yates and ran away in 1783. See Virginia Gazette and Weekly Advertiser (Nicolson & Prentis), Richmond, September 20, 1783.]

Bibliographic Information

[Charles Yates Letterbook, 1773-1783 The Harrison Institute and Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia #3807 (micro M 570-P)]

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