No 187
Sir,

We communicated to you our Intention to send the Lydia round to Potomack to Load but as she will want some Ballast we think right to advise you to purchase about sixty or eighty Hhds Tobacco for that Purpose, giving Thirty five Shillings for Elk Ridge and Thirty for Patuxent or Potomack Tobacco. This you will put in and dispatch the Ship of as soon as possible ー We are &c

[Annapolis] March 15th 1777 —