Yates to Forster Webb (Richmond) Nov 14th 1780

Fredsburg Nov 14th 1780

Sir
A Negro Boy named Cottin, belonging to Capt Jno Willis, now a prisoner at New York, tells me you want to hire him -- Capt. Willis's necessitys obliged him to give me orders to sell the boy if no other expedient coud be found to furnish money for his support whilst in captivity - however as I have had hopes he may be exchanged, or suffered to return or parole, I have supplyed him with Money & declined selling Cottin unless I coud get a very high price for him as he will have another servant to buy on his return but the Boy being of no service to me in the interim, I woud hire him quarterly till his master gets back or I sell him, and if you incline to take him, my terms are three Pounds fifteen shillings specie or its value in Paper by the Quarter to be returned equally well clothed as you receive him when either his master or I call for him at the expiration of any Quarter, giving you first one Months notice of the intention to take him away -- I have to add that he is not to be carried as a servant anywhere so near the Enemy that there shoud appear any risque of his being seized by them - waiting your answer I am with respect sir
Your obed hble servt
Chs Yates.
Forster Webb Esqr.
Belvidera
near Richmond
Per Post [struck through] Got back again as Capt. Willis is exchanged

Bibliographic Information

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

Availability

Available to the general public at URL: /gos/

Text and images © copyright 2005, by the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia