From G. Ganseford
ALS: American Philosophical Society
<Bordeaux, March 7, 1778, in French: The shippers of this
town, what with the difficulty in disposing nowadays of leaf
tobacco, may well forbid their captains to buy any in your colonies.
I have 33 bushels brought by my ship from Cap François.
In conformity with the edict of 1721 I have registered the
tobacco with the farmers and applied for permission to export
it; until I do it is in government storage. The edict permits the
owner to load it and get clearance from the farmers. M. de la
Ville, in charge here, has refused to clear it; he wants me to
sell it to the farm at 40 l.t. the quintal below the price I set. I
have taken legal action without effect, and have sent M. Necker
a memorandum on the subject but fear he has not time to read
it. Where the tobacco comes from I need not tell you, or how
important it is that the edict be allowed to operate; please ask
M. Necker to order it enforced at once. I must act fast in order
to ship the tobacco to Dunkirk, where it will bring 180 l.t. the
quintal. I engaged space for it some two weeks ago but could
not deliver; the captain of the ship has protested the delay and
wants damages with interest, as I have informed M. de la Ville
without result. My situation is awkward: I have 40,000 l.t. tied
up, and am exposed to a fall in price if tobacco becomes plentiful.>
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