Coleman Sellers to Samuel Sellers, Sr.
Dear Samuel
Richmond Jany 16. 1829
I have just Returned from Saml. Parsons at the Pennitentiary and find the Post will close in
½ an hour, I just thought I would state what a difficulty I have got into, the Naomi has not
yet been heard of--Merchants having goods on board her are offering from 10 to 15 pr. Ct.
Insurance and great fears are entertained for her safety, the Steam boat has just left here for
Norfolk that came up last night, the Captain says he made particular enquiry after her but
she has not been seen or heard of on the Coast I am certainly placed on a Very Awkward
predicament I know not what to do, the Corporation are not willing for me to leave here
until her fate is desided, time hangs very heavy on my hands, I shall propose to them to go
to Norfolk next first day, in the next steam boat--and if the Naomi should be there to take the
Hydraulion on board so as to get here as early as possible, as the Schooner might be 10 days
getting up the James River from Norfolk, Genl. Cock has just arrived and says he is Very
glad the small Hydraulion for the University has been Insured--so that it was well we had it
done--I still think the Naomi will come in as I attribute her detention intirely to the heavy
fogs that prevail--I hope Charles may not commit an error in getting up the Assistance
Engine[878] tell him to be Very particular to the directions left him--And Write me by Return
Mail of What I had better do, I thought if I was at Norfolk I should have a better chance of
hearing the fate of the Vessel and if she was lost would be that far on my way home the
Committee will meet on 7th. day next to consider my proposition I have just got well of a
Very severe Cold, which had I staid at home would have been a job for the Doctor, I did
nothing but Cough for 3 days until I was sore all over, with much fever, all of which the
Southern Climate has gradually carried off--my spirits have been good until now, when I
began to feel my staying here a week of time, I never saw so much anxiety to have a good
fire Apparatus as the Citizens of this place display--(they have had some bad fires,) and will
be greatly benefited by the Hose & Hydraulion it will add greatly to the security of all the
lower town, which is as thickly built over as the closest built part of Philada. frame and
brick mixed through each other--they will be great customers to us should the Hydrauler
Arrive the hose they are delighted with--and will no doubt want as much more as soon as
they see the effect [of] the system, Mr. Taylor is a Compleat fireman and enters fully into the
spirit of it I have not time to Read this over, shew it to Sopa. in has[t]e
CS--
(I enquire every day for letters)
ALS, PPAmP:Patterson Papers, 2p.
[878]
878. The hydraulion did arrive safely in Richmond and was shipped to Milton by water later
in the winter. On 7 March Nuckols Johnson received $1.45 from Brockenbrough "For the
freight of a box of Hose & pipe for the U.Va.," and on 18 March Jesse B. Garth received
$1.75 from the proctor "for the transportation of Fire engine from Milton" (loose receipts for
1828 in ViU:PP).
