Letters from Lewis Deblois to John Nicholson.
I decided to look through Deblois' letters to Nicholson in an attempt to understand the business adminsitration of the Federal City under the auspices of Morris, Nicholson, and Greenleaf. In arbitration with Clark, Morris and Nicholson implied that Clark was fraudulent in reporting his expenses. What I discovered today ,I feel lends credence to Clark and especially Isabella's description of life at Greenpoint. [See Journal entry 10/23/96 for confirmation that Morris was aware of who Clark was despite his protestations to Isabella that he did not]
Source Cited: John Nicholson Papers. General Corresondence Reel 6
1794/04/14
Deblois outlines how buildings are to be constructed. Notes "I will advance the money necessary for the existing purpose of the whole business which I will see done alone on my part to be interests of the other half. At the end of five years the houses and lots to be divided and you repaid the money advanced of my half. To see this plan properly executed and any other you may think proper to unite with me I should be happy to be concerned in my residence on the Federal City" A large retail store was to be furnished by Nicholson of which Deblois would pay 6 percent interest. Deblois was to profit 12 to 15 percent on the lots he produced.
Improtance: The arrangement between Morris, Nicholson, and Greenleaf sounds similar to what Clark claimed he was alater owed. Clark and his both claim that they had to sell off their property to obtain funds for Greenleaf Point. This would be likely if Clark was initailly financing the investment. Whether Clark then proceded to submit fraudelent claims is unclear but this letter does seem to support Isabella's description of Clark's business engagement with the three men.
1794/06/18
"I have been very unfortunate since my arrival here we have had a very tedious spell of rainy bad weather which has prevented our doing anything to speak of".
1795/03/09
"I have been extremely dissappointed and hurt at your not helping me to a little money. I have from your repeated promises had a right to calculate some relief from you upon the strength of your several letters. I was incduced to borrow to pay off my friedns in Georgetown, and even obliged to borrow of one of my Joiners who I knew had about 300 dollars with him. Now my dear sir, my people talk of raising their wages, the business will not afford it, and I would not have agreed to it had I cash to pay what I borrowed
and what is due to them" Deblois goes on to describe how he has had to give up business in Philadelphia because of the situation here. This letter is similar to Isabella's Clark's complaints lending credence to her story.
1795/03/20
"Oh my dear Sir not for the City of Washinton would I have removed from Philadelphia had I known what I was to have suffered here, I am distressed to death, mortified and cast down to earth. I expected you was [sic] my friend and I knew my inability to come down here on my own foundation. I think therefore I applied to you and you promised me funds, but how have I been ****, not for the Indies would I be obliged to go on so 3 months longer I would sooner give up my bid and sell the shirt off my back If there was an auction here that I could send my goods, sell my funriture and ti have them sold shoudl go before I am a wreck, for god sake help me You have been my friend & I hope yet you will not let me sink- death would be preferable to this horrid state I am in...."
One of the reasons arbitration is ended according to Arnebeck is Clark's insanity. Isabella claims that Clark went insane [as early as 1795] because of the business partnership with M, N, and G. I had originally thought the letter extreme hyperbole. Deblois' letter testifies to the terrible conditions and he is clearly anguised in this letter. Does this support Clark?
1795/04/20
"I am in a distracted state, to go on so many weeks longer I ams ure will deprive me of my reason. For God sake help me, the business must be given up, and what I have done ***find for want of funds to carry on, I would not for the Indies drag on a month longer as I have done all winter. I thiknk it would finish my existence, at least my wish for a continuance of it.... if you have any reagrd for me or my family relieve me from the horrid designs of Breck and others take my name out of Bank & otherwise relieve em or take my life and let me be laid low."
1796/05/02
Letter outlines the horrible conditions of Washinton ie Deblois having to borrow money from workment to get butter for his wife. Has not paid workmen [see nicholson papers where JN tells workers that architects were responsible for their pay not him] Deblois says sitaution worse than slavery. Asks for rum, sugar, coffee, anything to pay his workers
Question: To what extent can Deblois' description be used to support Clark's claims. What role does this play in reconstructing the hisotry of the business partnership. If Deblois runs store in DC does this impact Clark's business with King and Hammond. Review Chancery cases description of debts of store.