Lopez to Folger. 1775
Item
Holding institution
Collection
Arnold and Deanne Kaplan Collection of Early American Judaica
Location
Arc.MS.56
Title
Lopez to Folger. 1775
Document Type
Date
1775
Creator or Sender
Aaron Lopez and others
Location (creator or sender)
Newport, Rhode Island (USA)
Recipient
Thomas Folger
Location (recipient)
Newport, Rhode Island (USA)
Language
eng
Synopsis
Ship: Lydia. Captain: Thomas Folger. Destination: Falkland Islands. Folger is commanding a brigantine for an 18-month whaling voyage. The brigantine should make its way across the equinoctial line towards Brazil and touch as little time at any island or port in the way for refreshment as possible. Lopez and his partners provide some instructions on the way that Folger should follow but give him "full liberty, from your own knowledge & observation to improve upon these orders". They expect him to get upon the whaling ground on the Brazilian coast in November. Then the brigantine should sail to the South until getting to the latitude of the Falkland Islands. They have information that between the latitudes of 45 and 28 South there is greater plenty of spermaceti whales "than at any other spot we have yet heard of". They forbid Folger to go into any port, harbour or within 4 leagues of the Brazilian coast. They warn him of the danger of falling into the hands of Portuguese authorities and advise him to have no connection with any Portuguese or Spanish vessel.
The Lydia and all the rest of Lopez and partner's vessels are to assemble in Port Egmond, Falkland Islands. There, Folger will meet Francis Rotch, who will give him advice on the further measures to adopt for the remainder of the voyage. Folger could winter at the Falkland Islands and return home again after the vessels were refitted. However, they also recommend he endeavour the seal fishery during the Winter.
Lopez and the partners give additional instructions to Folger in case he does not find Rotch in the Falkland Islands. There, he should make sufficient casks with the staves, headings and hoops on board to fill the vessel. He also should repair the vessels. Then, he should attend the seal fishery to fill what casks may then remain empty and take them on board. After this, he should leave the harbour and cruise back again towards home. On his return, Folger should stop at St Eustatius, where he will receive new directions from Lopez or Leonard Jarvis.
They advise him to keep a journal of the winds, weather and soundings during the voyage and note the latitudes and places where he finds the greatest plenty of whales. If he sees any vessels coming to North America, he should send letters to Aaron Lopez in Newport, Leonard Jarvis in Dartmouth or William Rotch in Nantucket. If he finds a vessel bound for England, he should send a letter to George Hayley, a merchant in London. They advise him to avoid eating too much salt meats during the voyage since they "are found by experience to promote de scurvy".
The letter ends with a list of "friends" to whom Folger should ask assistance in the case "any material accident happens". They are Samson Mears in St Eustatius; Blackburn, Sanches, Burrows & Co. in Madeira; Mayne & Company in Lisbon; Livingston & Turnbull in Gibraltar, Mahony & Woulfe in Tenerife; Duff & Welch in Cadiz; and John Thompson & Co. in Barbados.
The Lydia and all the rest of Lopez and partner's vessels are to assemble in Port Egmond, Falkland Islands. There, Folger will meet Francis Rotch, who will give him advice on the further measures to adopt for the remainder of the voyage. Folger could winter at the Falkland Islands and return home again after the vessels were refitted. However, they also recommend he endeavour the seal fishery during the Winter.
Lopez and the partners give additional instructions to Folger in case he does not find Rotch in the Falkland Islands. There, he should make sufficient casks with the staves, headings and hoops on board to fill the vessel. He also should repair the vessels. Then, he should attend the seal fishery to fill what casks may then remain empty and take them on board. After this, he should leave the harbour and cruise back again towards home. On his return, Folger should stop at St Eustatius, where he will receive new directions from Lopez or Leonard Jarvis.
They advise him to keep a journal of the winds, weather and soundings during the voyage and note the latitudes and places where he finds the greatest plenty of whales. If he sees any vessels coming to North America, he should send letters to Aaron Lopez in Newport, Leonard Jarvis in Dartmouth or William Rotch in Nantucket. If he finds a vessel bound for England, he should send a letter to George Hayley, a merchant in London. They advise him to avoid eating too much salt meats during the voyage since they "are found by experience to promote de scurvy".
The letter ends with a list of "friends" to whom Folger should ask assistance in the case "any material accident happens". They are Samson Mears in St Eustatius; Blackburn, Sanches, Burrows & Co. in Madeira; Mayne & Company in Lisbon; Livingston & Turnbull in Gibraltar, Mahony & Woulfe in Tenerife; Duff & Welch in Cadiz; and John Thompson & Co. in Barbados.