[Extract]

Cou'd You but devise a Method of geting some Gun Powder sent here, You, or your Agent, shoud have liberty to carry off the Vallue in any of the Produce of these Colonies. ー Therefore if you are disposed to Risque, and become Adventurers, And that you can command a clever handy fast Sailing Vessell to be employed in this Scheme ー I shall Join you as farr as five hundred Pounds. ー A Good Correspondent, in some of the French or Spanish Setlements coud Mannage the purchase of such quantity of the Powder as might be ordered from time to time, and am confident, the Advantage derived from such schemes woud prove an Object of Attention. Because, in the first Place, a very handsome Price is already fixed on, to be given for the Article wanted here, to encourage Adventurer's, [&] the State of your own wants in the Provision way, must determine what prospect of Advantage can be lookt for from the Return's ー The success depends in a great Measure on the prudence & Mannagement of the Master of the Vessell. If he is known on this Coast, or in our River in Particular. It will be only Necessary to keep clear of any Ships of War and how soon the Pilate can be got on Board, Let him request of the Pilate to carry him to the first place of Safety (as Near Philada as the Situation & circumstan[ces] peculiare to his voyage will admit of.) And how soon he can get his Vessell to an Anchor, Let him go on Shore with the Pilate and apply to the Committee of any of the Provinces, or Countys, he can first meet, And upon giveing them information of his Cargo, they will immediately receive it on Accot of the Public, and give the Captain Receipt for the quantity delivered. ー which Receipt he is to forward, or Bring to me, to enable me to get the Money ー I wou'd not advise you to lose time in the Prosecution of this Plan shou'd you be disposed to Risque, At same time shoud you decline takeing any concern in this way ー don't Make an improper use of this Part of my Correspondence. I beg your Sentiments however as soon as Possible for my government. ー if it engages you[r] Attention, You might Possibley with prudence, Purchase or procure out of the Kings stores about a hundred (or 150.) Barrels, as if for some other scheme, And in a private Manner, dispatch some small Vessell immadiately therewith. ー The returns coud be sent in a Larger, as soon as it came to hand. ー Much Mannagement & secressie is Necessary in the Execution of this business ー That being the case, the Purchase should be Made in Smals (& at certain Periods) to guard against every possible suspicion . . . I hope to have some liberty to Export in the Course of the Winter, and Shoud your situation encourage me, my attention shall in great Measure be governed by your return to this. ー Wish however it suited you to adopt the Plan herein described, the Plan favouring of Mutual advantage, in case the Present contest shoud prove Lasting . . . I beg your Views may be conducted Privately and executed immadiatly after this gets to hand, Particularly if you shoud find it Practicable, to accomplish any of the purchase in your Island. ー Posibley before the Ariveal of such Adventure as you may engage in, I may have it in my Power to cover your Interest & my own, if timeous Notice should come to my hand. ー Don't however depend on this, what you Risque, shoud not exceed, what you woud chuse to hazard & Lose conveniently. Interest one half concern, but don't exceed [a] thousand or fifteen hundred pounds Cargo, on one Joint Accot I am [&c.]