Series I. Shipping Papers contains ships' papers, shipping correspondence, and accounts. The ships' papers, arranged alphabetically by vessel, consist primarily of outfitting bills and voyage settlement accounts. Very few invoices or manifests are included. The papers document voyages to South America, the West Indies, India, Europe, the East Indies, Canton, and the Fiji Islands. The ships included vessels Benjamin consigned cargo on as well as ones he owned in partnership. Many of his business partners were notable Salem merchants such as James and Samuel Chamberlain, George West, and Joseph Felt. The correspondence (B2 F1) contains letters from merchants in New England, southeastern United States ports, South America, and Europe. Many of these letters discuss the importation of hides, a commodity for which Benjamin found a profitable market. The correspondence also contains miscellaneous master's correspondence and letters from Benjamin's friend, William Morrow, regarding the collection of debts. The shipping bills and receipts (B2 F2) consist of outfitting and cargo accounts for miscellaneous or multiple ships. They include many accounts for hides and shoes.