Gentlemen

Inclosed you have a Copy of what we had the Honour of writing you on the 26th ulto — We have now to acknowledge the rect of your favr by the Friendship Capt Martin, who, we with pleasure inform you, arrived here this day. — It is unlucky his Cargoe does not consist of Tobacco instead of Flour, as it would in that case yield at least 50 pCt more. — However as his last Voyage proved so unsuccessful no body is to blame and we must endeavour to make the most of what we have got.

We shall immediately discharge the Cargoe & dispatch the Vessell down to St Eustatia for a load of Salt, where we expect she may also be able to procure a handsome Freight of dry Goods. — Salt is not to be had here at present, nor do we see any prospect of an Advantageous Freight; we therefore think it well worth the risque, especially as you are so much distressed for that essential Article We are exceedingly sorry that our embarrass[ed] Circumstances will not admit of our shipping any of the other Goods you desire. We shall however use all our Influence to engage private adventurers to speculate in them to your State and on all occasions do every thing in our power to render our Services acceptable. — Although we have shipped but little Salt ourselves, most of the. Cargoes that have gone from St Eustatia & this port have been shipped in Consequence of our Ad vice & Encouragement, and we have even (distressed as we are) taken Small Concern in three or four adventures on our own Accots to prevent their falling to the Ground, & for the Sake of throwing in Supplies.

We hope our Accot Currt of the 28th December got safe to hand, as we Sent it by two different Opportunities. But for fear of Accid[e]nts we now inclose you triplicate of it. — As we have been frequently under the necessity of reshipping your produce to other Islands It was impossible for us to be so regular in transmitting our Accts Sales & Acct Currt as we wished. — But in future we hope it will be attended with less difficulty. The Affair of the powder sold in Charles Town is not yet settled, so soon as it is you Shall be advised of it.

We are concerned to learn by Capt Martin that some are ill natured enough to suspect us of Under hand Work in the purchase of Stones Brigt — He will carry papers from Statia that we trust will clear us of every foul Imputation of the kind & place us above the reach of Malice. We are &ca