Boston 1^st March 1784
Mess^rs Williams & Upham

Gentlemen.

Since your M^r Upham was
with me I have made enquiry ~~about~~ respecting the
Ginsang Root. & find such prodigious Quantities have
been ship'd from the Southern States to almost every market
in Europe, (by far greater than was ever known before,) that
am convinced yours will sell for a much less sum then
you expect, but wish it may turn otherwise.

I just mention this you, as I apprehend you may
place dependance on it's netting Sufficient to discharge your
Debt with me, when I am confident it will not pay one
half of it. --- Upon closing my affairs I find have
a much Larger Sums due me, then I had an idea of
& far beyond my Capital, I am therefore oblig'd to
call earnestly upon every one to make me payment as
soon as possible, otherwise I cannot leave the Country
this Season, which am afraid will be the case. I
beg therefore Gent^m you will do to the utmost in your
Power to assist me at this particular juncture, for
be aprised was not the State of things very difficult,
I should not be so pressing. In expectation
of your kind assistance. I am

with the greatest Respect
Your very H^b Servt
Charles Sigourney

(c) Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Deerfield MA. All rights reserved.
Contact us for information about using this image.

label levels:

This letter is an appeal for payment of a debt owed by Messrs. Williams and Upham of Deerfield. Charles Sigourney, of Boston, appeals to the two gentlemen to pay their debt to him. He cautions them that they may be disappointed if they expect to make a large profit with the ginseng he has procured for them, since the market in Europe has been flooded with an oversupply. Sigourney has found that he is owed more than he thought and is asking everyone to make payment. He mentions that the state of things is difficult. Money was in short supply after the American Revolution which caused many men to go into debt.

top of page