The Voyage of the Ship Rachel (1802-1805)
Letter from Flushing (Vlissingen, the Netherlands) - 8 Jun 1805
A letter from John Winn while in the port of Flushing (the present day city of Vlissingen), Netherlands, with the status of the voyage. Note his feeling of disappointment, which was likely due in a large part to the altercations with Daniel Hartwell. Click on the image below to view the full document in a new window.
Source: "Peele Family Papers, 1753-1871", Box 4, Folder 1, MH 5, Finding Aid; Phillips Library, Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, Mass.
Transcription (still work in progress)
Page 1
Gentlemen Flushing, June 8, 1805
I have the pleasure of informing you of your Ship Rachel's safe arrival at this port the last day of May and I have just received a letter from Mr. Thomson who went to Amsterdam the Day we arrived and he finds the Best Market there and we shall proceed there the first wind. Also he writes me word that he Shall Give me all the Dispatch I wish for -- I feel myself very much Disappointed in not finding your advice here as I have ? so many times ? it and then being so many ? I feel my mind not at ease but worried, should I not receive any and should conduct contrary to your wishes. I hope your ? will excuse me for I have conducted ? and used my best judgment at all times which is poor at best. I have had no opportunity of sending skins amounts before, we have not ? American vessel bound home in our passage. I shall leave this letter in this port, there being number of vessels ? shall write from Amsterdam to you and at St. Petersburg ? With leave of providence I hope Salem will be the next port for if even one person was tired of one voyage I am this one.
In the English Channel we had 2 men ? Daniel McMillan and Wm. Bryant, could not find out the capt's name nor the ships. I remain your friend in good faith.
John Winn
Page 1
Gentlemen Flushing, June 8, 1805
I have the pleasure of informing you of your Ship Rachel's safe arrival at this port the last day of May and I have just received a letter from Mr. Thomson who went to Amsterdam the Day we arrived and he finds the Best Market there and we shall proceed there the first wind. Also he writes me word that he Shall Give me all the Dispatch I wish for -- I feel myself very much Disappointed in not finding your advice here as I have ? so many times ? it and then being so many ? I feel my mind not at ease but worried, should I not receive any and should conduct contrary to your wishes. I hope your ? will excuse me for I have conducted ? and used my best judgment at all times which is poor at best. I have had no opportunity of sending skins amounts before, we have not ? American vessel bound home in our passage. I shall leave this letter in this port, there being number of vessels ? shall write from Amsterdam to you and at St. Petersburg ? With leave of providence I hope Salem will be the next port for if even one person was tired of one voyage I am this one.
In the English Channel we had 2 men ? Daniel McMillan and Wm. Bryant, could not find out the capt's name nor the ships. I remain your friend in good faith.
John Winn
