Summaries of letters between Thomas Mullett, London, and  David Gelston, New York, 1796-1800.

1. Letter of 18 November 1796 inserted into Letter Book to Messrs Thomas Mullett & Co, No. 16 Staining Lane, London, about a bill to a Mr. Hansen for £448 and another one for £51.10. Mentions in P.S. a mutual friend, a Mr. Ingraham.

2. Letter of 20 December 1796: Mullett has sent a second bill and hopes to hear soon concerning payment.

3. From New York, January 28 1797, from Gelston to Mullett:  “Gentlemen, You will be so obliging as to forward the inclosed in the most expeditious and safe route to Amsterdam & oblige ---”

4. From New York, to Mullett, 5 April 1797, from Gelston, about bills being paid finally and asking for an advance for his son when he comes to London. 

5. From New York to Mullett, 27 April 1797.  Gelston is very concerned about what is happening with the Bank of England:  “The state of things in Europe are truly alarming – particularly as they respect England the stoppage of the old Mother – I mean the Bank of England has been a thing long contemplated by many of our wise heads in this Country – it has been looked upon as the principal foundation or Corner Stone & when that is should we think the whole Fabric must not only totter but will inevitably fall & great will be the fall thereof”

6. Another letter to Mullett from New York, 29 April 1797, asking about a character reference for a friend of the writer.

7. Letter of 3 June 1797 from New York to Mullett: More comments by Gelston about France and politics: He has heard of accounts of the “destruction of Charles Army  I certainly shall (if I do not already) think your leaders are under the infatuation of the D---l if they do not make peace with the all Conquering French men – I mean if they will give you Peace – your situation & prospects in the W Indies I believe will soon be in as bad a Situation as your German or Corsican possessions & Conquests or as your affairs in the Mediterranean Italy or even in Ireland”

8. From New York to Mullett, 11 September 1797, by Gelston:  He tells Mullett that he has not heard from the ship Light Horse, which left Bristol on 17 June with his son on board. He is worried that something has happened, either sunk or taken by the French.

9. Next letter dated 19 September 1797, to Mullett. Gelston’s son finally arrived safe from France via Boston, his ship having been taken by the French. He appreciates the “kindness and attention” shown to his son while in London by Mullett. Another son was also in London and still there.

10. Letter dated 7 November 1797, to Mullett in London.  Acknowledges receipt and informs him of payments.

11. 28 November 1797, to Mullett, informing him that one of their clients appears unable to pay and may have gone bankrupt.

12. 19 February 1798, to Mullett. More on politics: “we are at this time without any certain Accts from Europe since say about 17th Decr – we find your Pitt going on and I hesitated not to say leading you to certain destruction at least as I view his Politicks and their tendency – your Countrymen yet affect to laugh at and despize your neighbours but without a Spirit of prophecy – they will by & by be serious and think Frenchmen are in earnest – they will land in England unless you make peace and Wo, Wo, Wo to the Crown and head and his advizers. . .”  He loves Englishmen but hates England’s government and wishes they would make peace with France.

13. Letter of 27 March 1798, to Mullett: Some of their bills go to Amsterdam and Hamburgh.

14. 7 May 1798, to Mullett. More on politics: “our political Horizons appear extremely gloomy – we are without any late Accts from Europe I hope some favorable News soon – when will peace be restored to our World? and Mankind cease from butchering each other? with real affection and esteem I am your Fr’d ...”

15. 7 July 1798, to Mullett. He closes this letter with “God only knows where all these things will end.”

16. 3 December 1799, to Mullett.

17. 26 May 1800, to Mullett. One comment on politics about America:  “Republicanism is once more gaining ground, and is not ashamed or afraid . . .”

Text: David Gelston Letter Book, 1793-1800, New York Historical Library, New York City.