Copy.
Sir:
We deferred an answer to your Honor's last letter hoping to have obtained the Resolves of Congress upon the Interesting Subjects contained in it. We laid it before Congress. Business has since been very pressing, but we shall embrace the first favorable opportunity of obtaining the proper Resolves & shall transmit them as soon as possible.2
We have no news from England since the arrival of the Ship which brought the Pro'c[lamatio]n for suppressing Rebellion and Sedition We have the pleasure to assure you Sir that this has a most happy Effect upon the affairs of America. Gentlemen no longer expect a Redress of Grievances from Petition, etc. They now speak out plainly and cheerfully enter into the most liberal spirited and decisive measures. We congratulate you Sir upon the happy Reduction of Fort Chamblee. The Paper containing the Articles of Capitulation, List of Stores, etc., we have enclosed. There is no doubt but we have possession of St John's before this time.
The Congress has taken into consideration the state of the trade of the United Colonies. We enclose you an Extract of their Proceedings.3 We are sensible of the vast Importance of Trade to our Colony but when we consider the invaluable privileges for which we are contending, We are sure that the Virtue of our Constitution [Constituents] will with pleasure sacrifice a temporary Commerce to the salvation of their Country.
The moment that our Ports can be opened with a Prospect of Success to the Merchts and with safety to the Liberating of America we shall use our utmost Influence to restore to the Colony all the Benefits of a free and extensive Commerce. We are with great Regards, [&c.]
P.S. the Paper does not do justice to Majr. [James] Livingston & 300 Canadians who were with Majr [John] Brown & assisted in taking the Fort.
I am concerned that I have recd no answer to my Letters to your Honor relative to the proposed Voyage; I hope the Vessel is gone for Winter approaches fast & it is of the last Importance for us to obtain Powder before Spring the inclosed Advertisement I would wish sent to the Foreign West Inds & other money Places4
Your most obedient
S. Ward
