Whereas by misfortunes, together with expenſes of law ſuits, with honeſt pride I acknowledge I am not worth one cent in the world, and of courſe cannot pay my debts. But through the asſiſtance of friends, I am now accommodated with a Shop, and neceſſary Tools to carry on my buſineſs, in Cambridge-Port; where I ſhall be happy to execute any kind of work for thoſe I am indebted to, at the loweſt caſh price, on this condition—that I am paid one half of what the work comes to, in caſh, when delivered. But if my creditors will allow me time, and my health is ſpared, I have no doubt I ſhall ſoon be able to pay twenty ſhillings on the pound to them, in caſh.
To thoſe gentlemen I am not indebted to, I ſolicit of them a ſhare of their work, aſſuring them, that whatever engagements I make, ſhall be executed punctually, and in a workmanlike manner, by their humble ſervant,
RICHARD GRIDLEY.
Cambridge-Port, sept. 10, 1806.
☞ The Printers of Newſpapers in Boſton are requeſted to publiſh the above, provided they will receive their pay in Smith's work.
Columbian Centinel.
On the 11th of January, 1799, Mr. Briggs advertises in the "Salem Gazette" and thanks "the good people of the County of Essex for their spirited exertions in bringing down the trees of the forest for building the frigate. In the short space of four weeks, the full complement of timber has been furnished." He ends by saying:—
"Next September is the time
When we'll launch her from the strand,
And our cannon load and prime
With tribute due to Talleyrand."