Chantilly May 28, 1792
Sir,
I am so much out of the way of knowing when opportunities offer of writing to Bordeaux, that I must rely on your goodness to write to your brother there to send me by the first opportunity to Alexandria or Georgetown the following goods, which I hope they may be enabled to do from the balance in my favor from the House under date 30th Nov.r 1791, added to the sales of my five hhds [hogsheads] consigned to the house last Decemb.r. And these goods to be in addition to the few things that Jno Mason wrote for in my behalf last winter and which I hope are now on the way to America. If by any unforeseen casualty, it should so happen that the sales of my Tob.o should not be sufficient to compass these objects entirely, you will please observe that one of the pieces of Linnen now to be sent for at 3.s/ sterling a yard may be omitted to be sent and also one of the pieces of the 2/6 sterl.g so as to bring the cost of the whole within the limits of my funds. My brother informs me that there is near Bordeaux, a manufacture of fine cotton stockings, where this article is [next page] sold cheaper and better than in England. I have only now sir to request that you will have the goodness to charge yourself with the care of quickly forwarding to me by some safe opportunity any goods that arrive for me from your brother's house. Direct for me at Chantilly near the mouth of Nomony. I am with esteem sir. Your most obedient and very humble servant,
Richard Henry Lee.
Invoice of goods to be sent for RH Lee by the first ship to Alexandria or Georgetown from the House of Fenwick Mason and Co. Vid.t [videlicet, 'to wit' or 'that is to say']
One hundred yards of Shirting Linnen the best that can be got for 3 shillings Sterling a yard.
Fifty yards of the best Shirting Linnen that can be got for 2s / 6d sterling a yard.
24 pair of Womens fine cotton stockings for 5 livres a pair.
RH Lee.
These items are to be rated at the former value of the livre.
Captain Fenwick at Alexandria.
[Front of envelope]:
Captain Fenwick at Alexandria favored by Wm Lee, Esq.r
1792
Rich. H. Lee
Chantilly May 28th
Recd June 20th
John Mason (d. 1849). John was the fifth eldest son of George Mason IV and Ann, born at his grandmother’s home in Charles County, Maryland and reared at Gunston Hall. In 1785/86 John apprenticed with the Alexandrian merchant firm of Harper and Hartshorne, Quaker commission merchants dealing in foodstuffs and general merchandise. In 1788 John, together with brothers James and Joseph Fenwick, founded the firm of Fenwick Mason & Co in Georgetown. John’s initial capital in the new firm was £1,000. They conducted an export business between Bordeaux, France and Georgetown dealing in wheat and tobacco.
James Fenwick (d. 1823). The son of Ignatius Fenwick (d.1776), of St. Mary's County, Maryland, James (often referred to in correspondence as Captain Fenwick) managed the American side of Fenwick Mason & Co from his Georgetown offices. His brother Joseph Fenwick and John Mason handled the firm's operations in France.
Joseph Fenwick (d. 1849). Of Saint Mary's County, Maryland, Joseph opened the Bordeaux branch of a family tobacco trading company in the summer of 1787. After George Mason’s son John joined the company, the elder Mason helped to obtain Joseph Fenwick’s appointment as US Consul at Bordeaux in 1790. The Bordeaux branch was liquidated in 1793 as a consequence of the French Revolution.