Important Late 1782 Letter to Famed Quaker Merchant & Philanthropist James Pemberton on the Impending Resumption of Trade Between Great Britain & America

(REVOLUTIONARY WAR). (QUAKERS). BARCLAY, DAVID. ALS, 8 pp., 8vo., London, 19 Nov. 1782. Fine, very legible. $950.00

An important English Quaker merchant writes to James Pemberton, the American Quaker merchant, in response to a letter from the latter which evidently painted an improved picture of events in America. Barclay now seeks advice on whether, since peace may be imminent, Barclay's trading house might resume its former commercial activity, expressing in detail his concern about extending credit beyond the short term, and the marginalization of activity this might cause, describing the success his firm has enjoyed shifting their trade to Canada during the war years, describing the travels and efforts of other family members such as his nephew Robert Barclay in North America. The latter "has taken a concern in a mighty Porter Brewery," and David Barclay laments that a poor growing season has sent the price of barley and hops "in particular" much higher (he gives prices). Barclay tells Pemberton that he may send Thomas Smith, who was in Philadelphia in 1774, to visit once more to ascertain "the state of things relative to Trade."

Barclay has been glad to learn from John Dockray, recently from New York, and an inhabitant of Rhode Island, that Friends have generally fared well, but noting receipt of Pemberton's report of the "meeting for suffering" that the "Friends of the Subscription Committee" have given permission to Danl. Silsby at Savannah to draw on three including Morris Birkbeck for any sum not exceeding L500 to alleviate suffering "in those parts." Regarding politics, Barclay counsels, "the less Friends concern'd themselves in these matters the better."

See DAB for James Pemberton, famed Quaker merchant and philanthropist, who succeeded Banjamin Franklin as president of the Pennsylvania Society for the Abolition of Slavery, and was active in numerous reform societies following the war. In the 1750s and 1760s he was politically active, but in 1757 he protested against forcing the Friends of the Lower Counties to bear arms. At the time of the Stamp Act he signed the non-importation agreement, much to the detriment of his own financial interests, but he opposed armed resistance to Great Britain, and was arrested, imprisoned, and deported to Virginia with 19 other Quakers. On his return to Philadelphia he evidently heeded Barclay's advice, and "gave up all active interest in politics."