e schr. Wilmot. A cargo of Lime
could not be prepared before hand for want of Oxen to draw wood.
Have had bad luck in burning the Lime, the wood being wet, as the
snow was but just off the ground. One-third of the kiln is not
burnt. * * * If you can get freight to this place, we believe it
will be best to keep the schooner [Wilmot] constantly running
between here and Newburyport. If the Lime answers well can burn
any quantity whatever. The want of Hhds. is the greatest
difficulty, the want of a house to cover it the next.

"I doubt not of your making the greatest dispatch in all business
relating to this concern, and wish I could make you sensible of
the disadvantages we are under to do the same. I thank you for the
willingness you express to relieve me and that you think there is
any difficulty to go through in these parts. You may depend upon
it that no pains will be spared in this quarter to make the
Concern advantageous. * * * I shall be extremely glad to wait upon
Mr. Hazen when the schooner returns.

"Have been obliged to credit the inhabitants up the River to the
amount of a considerable sum, which is to be paid part in furs and
part in lumber (the lumber is not brought down). The Officers and
Soldiers supplies and wooding the garrison is to be paid by a
draft on the pay-master at Halifax. * * * Since the lime is all
put in hogsheads I find there is near seventy (empty) hogsheads
remains. They chiefly want one head each--twenty or thirty more
will be sufficient for another kiln. If you send the Schr.
directly back, boards must be sent for heads, and should think it
would be best to send 100 refuse shook hogsheads for a third kiln
with boards for heads and hoops, as they cannot be had here, also
5 M. boards to cover a frame that is now decaying and will serve
for a Lime House and Barn. Have borrowed 12 C. boards of Mr. Green
(of the garrison). Shall have a kiln ready to set fire to in three
weeks after the Schr. sails. Dispatch in shipping lime can never
be made without a Lime house to have it ready when any vessel
arrives. * * *

In Great haste, I am, Gentlemen,
Yr. Most Obedient & Humble Servt,
JAS. SIMONDS.

To Messrs. Hazen & Jarvis.

In the year 1769 the company built a wharf and warehouse at Portland
Point. Their work was often interfered with by the nature of the
season, the winters then, as now, being exceedingly