Letter from Thomas Farr to Rev. Robert Purcell

Letter from Thomas Farr to Rev. Robert Purcell

July 10, 1787

The letter was written by Thomas Farr in Charleston, SC on July 10, 1787. The letter is address to Reverend Robert Purcell at Shepton-Mallet in Somersetshire in England. Farr discusses a claim filed by Rev. Purcell about estates that were damaged during the war by British troops.

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Purcell, Robert.

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Cox, Danielle

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Ms. 54, Thomas Farr letter, 1787.

English

ms54let001-004.tiff/docx

P

Rig. Honbl.

The Rev. W. Robert Purcell
at Shepton-Mallett
Somersetshire in
Great Britain

Rig. Honbl.

By the Briton
Capt. Forresdale
2DC


Charleston South Carolina 10th July 1787

Dear Sir:
Yesterday I had the pleasure of receiving your letter of the 25th of March last, and I am, sorry to hear that the British commissioners for receiving the claims of those whose estates have had damage by the British troops, have after three years considerations, [turned?] you over to the Lord of Treasury and that you think it probable that the matter lay as long before that Honorable Body

why some people who are in the same circumstances as W. Simms is, should be paid, and not him, I cannot see the reason

but from what I have heard of the disposition of the commissioners who the king has sent out to Hallifax [sic], I shall have hopes that Franky will get paid sometime hence, I shall write him advising that when he goes to London, he will apply in person to the Lord Commissioners for their final answer on the subject, and if they will not make him any compensation, I shall persuade him when he comes home to attach the first British property that he can lay his hands on in this country and try the matter by court and jury.
With regards to the mulatto man named John who General Leslie actually carried off, I think an action would be against that gentleman for the value of that fellow in any court in Great Britain. I find that the British Court is very desirous that America should literally fulfill the Conditions of Peace between Great Britain and the United States, I am clearly of opinion that it should be fully with on our part, and it has been greatly against my inclination that any laws should be prolonged in our state to impede the Faith and honor of so sacred an engagement

and I am highly pleased that Congress has required of us that those restraining laws should be upealed [sic]

but I am of the opinion that Great Britain might, on their part, to fulfill her engagement in that treaty, and either restore us the negroes they carried off contrary to the [illegible] words of the treaty, or pay us for the value of them.
What is right in one case, holds true in the other and so I hope both parties will find it for their interest as well as honor to act fairly and justly, which will be the means in doing away the animosities and jealousies that at the present exist between the two nations

for I am sure that it is in the interest of both to live in harmony and friendship it is true that Great Britain is a most powerful nation and that America in its present state cannot contend to any advantage with her but America joined with France, will be a thorn, and a very soar [sic] one too in her side

Great Britain is arrived to the very zenith of its glory, America is just emerging from childhood and just begins to feel its power, advancing with great rapidity.
The young clergyman you mention by the name of W. Leadiard, who has some thoughts of coming herewith Wm Smith, would have an invitation from St. Andrews Parish, had he come in time but as we have built up our Church and everything ready for the reception of a Parson, we gave an invitation to a gentleman who came here from England by the name of Wm. Tho. Mills, he has been a clergyman of Gloucestershire, remarkable for preaching a flaming sermon at the above church at Bath in October 1780 in which he made very free with the conduct of administration relative to the American War, when the congregation ordered the organ to play to silence him. We pay Wm. Mills by subscription to the amount of three hundred pounds sterling per annum, and two Glebes, one on James Island, with a few negroes there are a number of other county parishes who are in want of Episcopal Clergymen, St. Pauls- Stono and St. Johns are good livings [sic] and are now vacant.
W. T. Simmons will leave Rotterdam this month, I have recommended to him to take one year of pleasure before he sits down to business, and have sent funds for that purpose, he mite [sic] got to France, Spain, and Portugal, and thro’ some parts of Germany and will be in England sometime the beginning of the nest year, from thence he will go to Boston and so travel home by land. I have got his Estate in good order but cannot yet make up for the loss of the slaves which
the British carried off, however the Estate is more productive than it was when his Father died and is worth many thousand sterling more than it then was it is a good clear income of between six and eight hundred pounds sterling per annum. His sister Nancy grow a very likely young woman, and is fit for matrimonial state. She desires me to present her compliments to you.
I sincerely wish you health and happiness, with assurance of my best regard

I am Dear Sir
Your most obedient servant
Tho. Farr