nagement of the business."

At the time the agreement was made with Mr. Peabody, Michael Francklin
was at the River St. John.[118] The agreement specified that the
masts, yards and bowsprits were to be converted into eight squares
carrying their dimensions in their several parts conformable to the
rules of the navy.

[118] The document was dated at Maugerville the 15th October, 1781.
The parties to the agreement were on the one hand Francklin,
Hazen & White; and on the other hand Francklin, Hazen, White &
Peabody. The second party were to deliver to the first at Fort
Howe "by the first Freshes in the Spring" the masts, yards,
etc., mentioned in the contract. One third of the profit or
loss to be the said Samuel Peabody's and two-thirds to be the
said Michael Francklin, Wm. Hazen and James White's.

While the profits derived from the mast business may have been
considerable, the expenses also were heavy. There were many unforseen
contingencies. The demand for workmen and laborers in a short time
nearly doubled the rate of wages, and the cost of provisions and
supplies increased. In the course of a few months Col. Francklin sent
three consignments of goods to St. John, amounting in value to about
$3,000. A bill of lading in those days was a quaint document, witness
the following:

"SHIPPED by the Grace of God, by John Butler Dight in and upon the
good Ship called the Young William Naval Store Ship, whereof is
master, under God, for this present Voyage, George Hastings, and
now riding at anchor in the Harbour of Halifax, and by God's Grace
bound for Fort Howe, River St. John in the Bay of Fundy.

To say, one Hogshead, three Casks, one Case, three Bales, one
Large Trunk, one Bag Coffee, six Boxes, twenty Barrels Pork, and
twenty firkins Butter--by order of Mich'l Francklin, Esq., for
account and risque of himself, Wm. Hazen & James White, consigned
to Messrs. Hazen & White at Fort Howe as aforesaid, being marked
and numbered as in the margin, and are to be delivered in good
order and well conditioned at the Port of Fort Howe (the danger of
the seas only excepted.)

In Witness whereof the master of the said Ship hath affirmed to
three Bills of Lading, all of this tenor and date; the one of
which three Bills being accomplished, the other two to stand
void.

And so GOD send the Good Ship to her desired Port in safety.
Amen