The London Years of Stephen Hopkins by Michael E. McCarthy

Author:Michael E. McCarthy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BookBaby
Published: 2020-03-24T18:37:07+00:00

Chapter 12

The Docks

Stephen continued his daily trips to the docks, talking with the dockhands and asking questions of destinations, traders and investors. Occasionally, he bought at a reduced price, some unaccounted-for barrel or case of goods and then found a buyer to offload the product. He also found Edward Doty frequently to assist with the delivery and everyone shared in the profit. Some days it was easy and other days he tired of the haggling. He knew this was a short-term prospect for income and he needed something steadier. Stephen was a tanner by trade, but he had a specialty with the hides of large animals in that he fashioned leather armour. Steel plated armour was being used less and less because of its weight, lack of flexibility and with the expanded use of muskets, did not stop high velocity bullets, which at this point in history were round balls of varying weight. Neither did leather stop lead balls, but for the slashing of a sword or an arrow near the end of flight, one, two or sometimes three layers of leather was sufficient. Therefore, tanners were still enjoying an armour’s trade while the need for steel coated armour was dwindling.

Soon, he found the man connected to the Virginia Company of London that he was looking for, Thomas Weston. A shrewd business agent, Weston was a hard-driving negotiator. “If you go to Virginia, you work for me,” he exclaimed.

Stephen knew his value to any venture and he was just as astute in making a deal, but he had distinct advantage in that he had a charisma that Weston did not possess.

“Tanning is my trade but I have other skills that are useful and I work for myself,” said Stephen.

“What are those other skills?” said Weston.

“I have worked with the natives and I can speak their language,” said Stephen. “A definite advantage to anyone settling in America.”

“You mean in Virginia,” said Weston.

“Anywhere in America,” said Stephen. “Any settlement by the Spaniards, the French or Dutch.”

Weston was a business agent, not a government agent, and he was not concerned about the political implication of Hopkins’ words, but the trading inference rang loud with alarm.

“I see,” said Weston. “Here you have the protection of the British navy, a vast market for furs and it’s your home country.”

“Silver and gold speak loudly anywhere in the world,” said Stephen. “Like I said, I am my own boss.”

“Yes, silver and gold speak loudly. I think you and I are going to get along remarkably but I have no ships ready for the colony,” said Weston. “Where can I find you?”

“I’m always around the docks. You can find me anytime.”

Thomas Weston wasted no time checking on Stephen Hopkins’ reputation. He found that Stephen was a clever merchant with a good business sense. Later, when he learned of Stephen’s past in Virginia and his ability to soothe relations with the native population, he was anxious to take him as a client. However, he kept his true interest secret as to further negotiate who worked for who.

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