Daniel Prior was captain of the brig Abigail out of Boston, Massachusetts (owners: Ebenezer and John and Joseph Dorr of Boston). He writes letters to the owners and to merchants who have ventured some cargo, reporting on the state of trade and of money, on the state of the ship and on dangers (storms, pirates, privateers, rot, embargoes, etc.), on news of other ships, captains, and cargoes. He occasionally refers to politics and the discomforts of war; he is intimate with the Dorrs and passes along family news. He also writes banking houses concerning bills he wishes accepted. In May 1795 he is stranded in Le Havre shipless, trying to dispose of his cargo, and acts as go-between for Americans with business interests in France. His freight is mixed: cotton, corn, sugar, soap, candles, oil, wheat, tobacco, etc.

In September 1793 Prior is worried by war, and again in July 1795. September 15 fears Washington will betray the nation's principles by signing the treaty, distrusts English letters of marque. October 6, 1795 is grateful for Sidney Smith's orders not to stop food in neutral vessels. October 21 "The editor of the newspaper I sent you is arrested and paper stopt so that I have only 2 or 3 by me & them was old." January 1, 1796: can't find pictures well done for John; I'll look in Paris. Letters full of technical details of prices, exchange, financial houses, "simulated drafts", and other financial matters. Represents the Lambs in Le Havre.

Inverted text continues from the end of the book.

From September 15, 1793-March 16, 1794, Prior was located in Amsterdam and Niew Deip. Arrives from St. Eustatius (Curacao); prepares to sail to Cadiz; delays for fear of the Algerine pirates; asks Dorrs to pay his ransom if necessary; gives up Cadiz trip and sells that cargo; leaves for Boston, wary of French and English.

From June 30-August 2, 1794, he was in New York, Baltimore, and Cape Henry, preparing to sail to Lisbon with Indian corn; shortage of sailors; itemises prices of preparing the ship.

From September 16-October 13, 1794, he was in Lisbon, Portugal, discharging cargo; loading salt, wine, lemons, cork, Malaga raisins, oil, India peppers for Boston. Ebenezer's son Andrew is at Bordeaux.

During the month of April 1795 (April 7-25), he was in Le Havre. He arrived from Boston; trade stagnant; exchange problems; no specie to be had; all the French want is flour and they can offer only bills in payment.

In the middle of the volume are instructions to Shubael Pinkham, first mate of the Abigail, to go to the Isle of Wight, pick up Andrew Dorr and follow his orders (probably to go to Boston with a load of salt). Prior remained in Le Havre to dispose of cargo: Address c/o Homberg & Homberg, Le Havre.

The last several pages of the volume, as well as the beginning pages, are reversed and inverted and date from May 6, 1795-April 10, 1796. Slowly disposes of cargo. Joseph Dorr (now at Bordeaux and Nantes) offers him another ship in February 1796; but he feels duty-bound to discharge his obligations: "this dam business." Relays Dorr family news, problems with finding Abigail a cargo in England.

Boston, Massachusetts:

Ebenezer Dorr; Joseph & John Dorr, merchants; Jonathan Williams, merchant; Messrs Neil and Getty, merchants; Samuel Wheelwright, merchant; Captain Benjamin Wheelwright; Jonathan Harris, merchant; Messrs Loring & Curtis John Mclean, merchant; Messrs William Stephenson & Caleb Loring, merchants; James & Thomas Lamb, merchants; John Peek; Edward Jones

America?:

Eben Francis; Jason Clap; Samuel Snelling; David Townsend

Charleston, South Carolina:

John Harris; Joseph Hunt

London, England

Messrs May & Hill; Messrs Thomas Dickason & Co.; R. Brinley; Messrs Firmin De Foutet (?) & Co.

Amsterdam, Holland:

Messrs John Hodshon & Son, merchants; G. H. Harnacher (?); James Lamb; Capt. John Mackey.

Rotterdam, German states:

Messrs Roquette, Elsevier & Buldermarke (?)

Hamburg, German states:

Wm Henry Hagenau; Messrs Labbert & Dumas

Paris, France:

Benjamin Calender, merchant; E. Homberg le jeune; Mr. Broomfield; Mr. Robert Getty; John Gracier

Bordeaux, France:

Messrs Stroble & Martine; Joseph Dorr

Nantes, France:

Joseph Dorr