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[Revolutionary War – Britain – Finance – Jamaica Coffee House] Sharpe, NathanielBiblio.com

1776 Letter from One Englishman to Another Asking for Financial Advice Given the “Fluctuating situation of Publick affairs”

1776ref. List3149Knaresborough England 1776. Single three page letter measuring 6 ¼ x 7 ¾ inches. Normal wear; Near Fine. A letter from Nathaniel Sharpe in Knaresborough to Edmund Green a merchant in London addressed to Green at the Jamaica Coffee House. This café the first of its kind in London was established in the mid-17th century; in 17th and 18th century Britain coffee houses were popular meeting places particularly for conducting business. Sharpe writes to Green: “Your Esteem’d favour of the 22d is before me and the picture you have drawn of the situation of publick affairs are truly very alarming and have no doubt but the Representation is a very just and real one. . But to the following Fact place yourself in my situation and give me your Candid opinion Wether I am safe in letting £2200 lay any longer or whether I ought to call it in and place it out on a Security in this Country.” He describes his investments and states that: “I have not one shilling in Trade since 1760 and in Decemr. 1762 Retir’d to this place and found myself in possession of a Happiness that I could ill brook to part with. And which I would wish to preserve. Should this sum be in no danger I can live as usual.” The American Revolutionary War had a significant impact on the British economy; at the time Sharpe was writing although the conflict had been ongoing for some time the war itself was in its early days and uncertainty was high. Other than asking for financial advice Sharpe tells Green that Green’s “Brother Tommy had . taken a Cup of Liquor rather too freely and had been drawn into Cards” alarming their mother who had requested that Sharpe inform Green about the event; asks Green to visit her; and sends his good wishes to a mutual friend. unknown