Gent

At the request of his Excellency the Governour and the honble the Council we have consign'd You by the Sloop Congress Capt [William] Skinner four hundred and fifty four Barrels Flour and thirty Hhds Tobacco, for which you have Invoice & Bill of lading inclos'd. You'll be pleas'd to dispose of it at the best price your Market will afford, and invest the proceeds as P Invoice for return herewith sent You. We rely on You to give the Captain all necessary assistance and as great dispatch as possible, also for your procuring the Goods [ordered] on the best terms and of good quality. — This Cargo is purchas'd and consign[ed] You on the public Account of the State, and there are several other Cargoes now purchas'd and to be purchas'd on the same Account, and shou'd you [be] successful in this adventure it may determine us to send several of the other Cargoes to your Island and of course to your address. — Be pleas'd to direct your letters and returns in consequence of this consignment to Thomas Whiting Esqr first Commissioner of the Navy Virginia —

[Williamsburg] 3d Jany 1777 —