Autograph manuscript signed by Nathl. P. Russell, being an "Adjustment of General Average on the Brig Dispatch & Cargo, in consequence of throwing overboard 40 tons of Slates at sea, and putting into St. John, Newfoundland, for repairs, where she was unloaded."
Boston: October 2, 1816. Folio, 1 page of manuscript on the recto of the first leaf of a bifolium; previous folds; very good. This unfortunate loss of cargo occurred after the brig, with Captain Babson at the helm, left in March of 1816 for Cadiz, Spain, and was in August bound back for the port of Boston. Apparently, they ran into trouble, possibly foul weather, causing the dumping of cargo. The paper shows a careful adjustment of the value of the cargo and other expenses that were against the final remaining cargo that was landed in Boston. The ship sustained £927 of damage. Nathaniel P(ope) Russell, (1779-1848), a lawyer and director of the Suffolk Bank, had a daughter, Sarah, who married the Rev. Samuel May, famed anti-slavery worker. Mssrs. Wood & Rich, signatories to this document, and who approved the accounting, were likely the owners. The brig Dispatch was built at Wareham in 1815. She was 158' in length, with a beam of 22'. Item #54195
Price: $275.00
